France defender Hernandez out to curb Bayern team-mate Mueller

Munich (Germany) (AFP) – France defender Lucas Hernandez says his Bayern Munich team-mate Thomas Mueller is the German player the world champions need to subdue in Tuesday’s Euro 2020 clash against Germany. 

Hernandez has spent two seasons with Bundesliga champions Bayern since his 80 million euros ($97 million) transfer from Atletico Madrid in 2019.

The 25-year-old will line up for visitors France against several of his Bayern team-mates at Munich’s Allianz Arena for the Group F showdown between the European heavyweights.

After a two-year exile from international football, Mueller has been recalled by German head coach Joachim Loew.

Hernandez sees the attacking midfielder as the threat the French defence needs to nullify.

The 31-year-old Bayern star is set to make his 103rd appearance for Germany on Tuesday and will be hunting his 40th goal for the Mannschaft.

“He (Mueller) is back to his best and he deserves to be back in the national (German) team,” Hernandez told AFP.

“We know he’s a good player, very, very intelligent.

“It will be up to us to block him a bit and do the work so that he doesn’t show up too much in the game.”

Hernandez is relishing playing “away” at his home stadium when he runs out at Bayern’s home.

“It’s a beautiful stadium that I know well. There will be a lot of emotions because I’ve been playing there for two years now,” he said.

“It’s a pity that it won’t be 100 percent full because of Covid-19,” with a restricted crowd of 14,500 expected, “but for sure it will be a big game.

“There will be a lot of Bayern players on the other side. It will be a special match, different, but, personally, I want to win.”

Bayern players will feature for both teams.

Benjamin Pavard, Coretin Tolisso and Kingsley Coman could all play alongside Hernandez for Les Bleus.

Bayern captain Manuel Neuer will skipper Germany with Joshua Kimmich, Serge Gnabry, Mueller and Niklas Suele also set to feature for the Mannschaft.

France won the last meeting between the European giants when Antoine Griezmann scored both goals in a 2-1 Nations League win over Germany in Paris in 2018.

Hernandez has netted five goals in 62 games for Bayern, but is yet to score for Les Bleus in 25 internationals.

He hopes to break his duck on Tuesday with a goal past Bayern team-mate Neuer in Germany’s goal. 

“It’s true that I’m not a great goalscorer, it’s not my strength,” he admitted with a laugh.

“If I have the chance to score a goal, I would be happy.”

jta-ama-ldn-ryj/gj