Müller on missing out on the Bundesliga title last season: "We are more motivated this year"

Bayern Munich host Bayer Leverkusen at the Allianz Arena on Saturday in a highly anticipated clash.

The two sides last met in February, when Leverkusen ran out 3-0 winners and then went on to win the Bundesliga title, ending Bayern's 11-year reign.

Bayern will naturally be fired up to avenge that defeat, with Thomas Muller admitting they're extra motivated this season.

“Yes, we are more motivated this year,” the Bayern veteran said in an interview with Bundesliga.com. 

"The last years, when it wasn’t working, we were not bothered. You can interpret that as there being less motivation, but we always has enough.

"Honestly, there has never been a season in recent years – other than the sextuple campaign under Hansi Flick – where we were really satisfied with our overall performance. Still, the motivation, were always there, just on a different level."

However, Müller is well aware that it's going to be difficult to beat Leverkusen because they're a strong team in every department.

“You have to tip the hat to them. They broke records, but it is less about the records and more about the way they surpassed them. Given how Leverkusen play, the individual players they have and how they operate as a team, you know that every meeting with them will be really tough,” he said.

"Not only can they play good football, but they can also suffer. They never give up - the amount of late goals they score is crazy. Whenever they need something, they knock at the door until someone opens it, and there always seems to be someone who can provide the crucial moment. That is why I think this match will be exciting until the very end."