BERLIN, Sept. 12 -- Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller has underlined his club's ambitions to win the 2018/2019 Champions League.
The Bavaria-born 28-year-old said Germany's disappointing performance at the World Cup and Bayern's unfortunate elimination in the Champions League against Real Madrid last season has helped to "free up additional energy".
Muller said that the anger he and his teammates now feel serves as motivation to perform better. "We all know how close we came. We could have won the Champions League last season," the German international said.
This season, Bayern will not only rely on their high-quality squad, but also the team's faith to go back to the very top, with a young, ambitious and determined new coach in Niko Kovac.
Muller added that the 2018 German champions are stronger than ever and looking forward to their games against Benfica, Ajax and AEK Athens in Group E of this season's Champions League.
The German says his successful start to this season with Bayern indicates that he is in good shape despite an energy-sapping World Cup. The Bayern striker has scored two goals in two Bundesliga games and is keen to show he is still among the best in the world.
Muller added that it was vital to have a good start to the season, calling Bayern's good start an ominous sign for their European opponents.
Despite scoring 38 goals in 93 games for Germany, Muller is still trying to find his ideal position in the national team. "My job profile tells you all about my positive skills and my weaknesses. It shows I am more successful when I act behind the front row of the strikers."
Muller added that playing in the center allows him to run and look for space, and in Munich he frequently has the opportunity to play in his favorite position. "In the national team I often had to help out along the flanks, but I feel more comfortable in the center," he said, adding that he hopes to have plenty of teammates to work the flanks instead.
The German national team is likely to take on a slightly different shape after the international retirement of Mesut Ozil. Coach Joachim Low frequently changes the team's tactics according to the opponent. "Therefore we don't talk about a free chair, but about more options for us including me," Muller commented.
Regarding the future of club and country teammate Joshua Kimmich, Muller said he doesn't believe Kimmich will move to defensive midfield at Bayern as he has done for the national team.
Unlike the national team, Bayern can count on several defensive midfielders of high renown, leaving Muller convinced that Kimmich will keep his job as the team's right back in the near future.