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Muller: You can count on me in big games

Cape Town - Thomas Muller has not let his baffling omission from the Bayern Munich team that lost to Atletico Madrid last week affect his drive for Champions League glory.

Muller is well on the way to becoming a Bayern legend. The 26-year-old has scored 32 goals and provided seven assists so far this season, his highest tally since breaking into the first team in 2009.

The Germany international is also the club's all-time leading Champions League scorer, making Pep Guardiola's much-publicised decision to only give him 20 minutes of game-time in the first leg of their semi-final encounter even more surprising. 

In a post-match press conference following Bayern's 1-1 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, Muller spoke with passion of the remainder of their league and European campaigns.

"I do of course have a very special relationship with the club," he said. "I am not the kind of player to go missing in big games.

"We are the representatives of Germany now in the Champions League. We need to make sure we play as a team and as a club.

"We need to set off some fireworks on Tuesday, with our fans behind us. I am determined to reach the final."

Despite this optimism, Muller acknowledged the Bavarians aren't currently playing to their full potential.

"We have to admit that we are not at 100% at the moment," he added. "We need to be determined going forward, but can't run forward blindly like children. We need to keep cool heads."

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