Degen tips Bayern to contend

Basel’s Philipp Degen has hailed Bayern Munich after being on the wrong end of a 7-0 thrashing against the Bundesliga side on Tuesday.

Bayern were comprehensive winners over Swiss club Basel in the round-of-16 second leg, breaking the record for the biggest margin of victory in the knock-out stages of the Champions League.

Speaking after the heavy loss at the Allianz Arena, Basel defender Degen tipped Bayern to push favourites Real Madrid and Barcelona all the way in the competition this season.

“Bayern were very good today, actually, they were outstanding,” Degen told Goal.com.

When asked whether Jupp Heynckes’ men have what it takes to reach the final, Degen said the German club has a chance, although if they are drawn against Barca, progressing will be a tough ask.

“It’s certainly possible,” he said.

“Bayern are capable of beating any team. Only Barcelona could be quite difficult, but even they are beatable.”

Degen is confident Bayern would overcome Real, assuming the Spanish team get past CSKA Moscow.

“Bayern can take them (Real) down,” he said.

“Today they performed outstandingly. With such performances, you can go very far.”

Bayern will learn their next opponents during Friday’s draw for the quarter-finals and semi-finals at the UEFA headquarters in Nyon.