Müller: Bayern have a 'score to settle' with Chelsea

FC Bayern München's Thomas Müller admitted FC Bayern München have a "score to settle" in Friday's UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea FC.

It was Müller's 83rd-minute header which looked to have sealed glory for Bayern in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final at their own Fußball Arena München, only for Didier Drogba to power in a late header of his own for Chelsea, who went on to ruin the Bavarian party with victory in the ensuing penalty shoot-out. Bayern have since been crowned Europe's best by beating Borussia Dortmund in last season's showpiece at Wembley and, while the Chelsea defeat still rankles, Müller insists the German giants have moved on.

"We've got a score to settle with Chelsea but last season healed those wounds, so I don't really think about it any more and nor do the team," he explained. "Our target now is to beat Chelsea. We want to show that it was no coincidence we won the Champions League and that we're still among the best in Europe. We're especially motivated going into this game."

Not least because the 22-time Bundesliga champions have failed to get their hands on the UEFA Super Cup in three previous attempts. "We know that Bayern have never won this trophy so it's our job to make sure we win it for Munich," said captain Philipp Lahm.

With regular midfield pivot Bastian Schweinsteiger struggling to recover from an ankle problem Lahm may be deployed in front of the back four as opposed to his normal position on the right of defence, a role the Germany national team captain is happy to fulfil should it be required of him: "I don't know what the coach will do or if 'Basti' will make it, but if the coach wants to play me in midfield, I've no problem with that."

Lahm went on to praise new Bayern boss Josep Guardiola for his "meticulous" preparation, explaining that the players are still working on turning the former FC Barcelona coach's winning mentality into a "habit", but was keen to point out there is "a great atmosphere among the squad" at present.

Indeed, the Bundesliga title holders have begun the season well in spite of Tuesday's disappointing 1-1 draw at SC Freiburg. The only bad omen for Bayern: the last time Müller and Lahm appeared together for a pre-match press conference was ahead of the 2012 UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea.