Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller has said
he was unhappy at not starting his side's Champions League loss to Atletico
Madrid on Wednesday.
Atletico record a 1-0 home win over Bayern in
the first leg of their Champions League semifinal, as Saul Niguez scored a
brilliant solo goal.
Despite Muller's eight Champions League goals
this season, Bayern coach Pep Guardiola opted to drop the Germany international
from his starting XI at the Vicente Calderon.
Instead of fielding Muller alongside Robert
Lewandowski, the Catalan played Arturo Vidal, Xabi Alonso and Thiago Alcantara
in midfield, and Kingsley Coman and Douglas Costa on the wings.
Following the 1-0 defeat against Atletico,
Guardiola explained that he wanted "a left-footed player on the left and a
right-footed player on the right" and also "one more
midfielder."
Speaking to reporters, Muller said that he
was surprised to hear about his role on the bench, although he accepted
regardless.
He said: "I try to cope with it
professionally. It does not make you happy, but it's important to realise what
is important for the team. If everyone who sits on the bench just flips, we can
forget about the season."
Guardiola's decision to try to reach his
first Champions League with Bayern without Muller was strongly criticised by
parts of the German media, and also by former Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
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