Neuer: Bayern Munich must learn from Paris Saint-Germain defeat

Manuel Neuer says Bayern Munich are determined to correct the mistakes that cost them against Paris Saint-Germain as they target a stronger run in the major knockout matches this season.

The Bayern captain was speaking after his side began their Bundesliga campaign with an emphatic 5-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena on Friday.

“Stuttgart are a good team, with good players and a strong attack, but from the start we were determined to give everything we had to make the perfect start to the season. I think we showed that today,” Neuer said after the match.

The result gave Vincent Kompany’s team an impressive opening-night win, following their 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup last Saturday.

Neuer, however, rejected the idea that Bayern’s season should be judged solely on whether they win the treble.

Asked if the campaign had become a case of “the treble or nothing”, the goalkeeper replied: “You can’t say that now. We are working hard, and this is the third season with Vinnie [manager Vincent Kompany].”

The Germany international said Bayern would use last season’s disappointment in Europe as motivation, particularly their elimination by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals.

“We will try to work on the things that did not go well last season, in order to take that final step in the big knockout matches, such as the game against Paris Saint-Germain [in the Champions League semi-final]. But now we have to do our job and move forward step by step,” Neuer added.

Bayern were beaten 5-4 away from home by Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of that semi-final. They drew 1-1 in the return match in Munich and were eliminated from the competition.

Paris Saint-Germain went on to win the Champions League, beating Arsenal in the final.

Neuer’s comments came after a convincing domestic performance in which Bayern made a fast start and maintained control against Stuttgart. The result also strengthened the positive impression created by their victory over Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup seven days earlier.

The German champions will now look to carry that momentum into the rest of the Bundesliga season while continuing to address the shortcomings Neuer identified from their European campaign.

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