By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich is confident of beating Real Madrid in the 2017/2018 Champions League semifinal.
"If we play like today it will be hard for Real," goalkeeper Sven Ulreich commented after his side's impressive 6-2 thrashing of Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinal of the German Cup.
Going so far in every competition gives the team a motivational boost the 29-year-old emphasized.
Bayern striker Thomas Mueller underlined the team's hunger when it comes to the duel against the Spanish giant starting next Wednesday in Munich.
"The German Cup game has made our hunger even bigger. When you reach a semifinal of the Champions League you desperately want to take the next step," Mueller said after scoring three goals against Leverkusen.
Bayern Munich board chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called it a "state of paradise to be a fan of Bayern at present." The former German international said the Bavarians are ready to move even further forward. Rummenigge said the team has "enormous quality and determination."
Rummenigge and club president Uli Hoeness emphasized the team spirit the side has developed under coach Jupp Heynckes.
72-year-old Heynckes called his team's performance a "football demonstration." He does not want to make any comparison to the treble year 2013 but at the same time said many things are like five years ago.
"I'm impressed by the team's spirit. They are a tight-knit community," Heynckes said. He says it reminds him of 2013.
Bayern lost two of the last three duels against Madrid. After the 6-4 win on aggregate in 2012, the 2018 German champion was defeated in 2014 (5-0) and 2017 (6-3).
This time Bayern has to do the job without midfielder Arturo Vidal. The former Chilean international is sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee operation.
While German national keeper Manuel Neuer is on his way to returning after a six-month injury break for the season's final games, his replacement Sven Ulreich seems to be in tremendous shape.
Pundits and Bayern officials are talking about Ulreich having a realistic chance of being a part of the German 2018 World Cup squad.
