By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- German Bundesliga clubs have sent a significant message in the UEFA Champions League, according to Bayern Munich's sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

Four of Germany's five Champions League participants have progressed into the knockout stages of the 2022/23 campaign, and that "is something that deserves to be mentioned", said Salihamidzic.

While Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Eintrach Frankfurt qualified for the last 16, only Bayer Leverkusen missed out, finishing third in their group to transfer to the UEFA Europa League.

Bayern became the first team in three years to win all six group stage matches, while Frankfurt became the first side to reach the knockout stages in their debut Champions League campaign.

With Eintracht having won last season's Europa League, the Bundesliga had five clubs in the Champions League for the first time.

"This is proof of the good job German clubs and the Bundesliga are delivering," Salihamidzic said, also referencing Freiburg's move to the next round of the Europa League.

The German upswing follows years of drought, as a successful group stage hasn't always meant a happy life afterwards.

Of all German clubs, only Bayern have managed to reach the Champions League final in the past five years. In 2021 and 2022, no German club proceeded to the semifinals.

Since the Champions League began life in 1992/93, Bayern (three times) and Dortmund have managed to win the trophy. Spanish sides have won it 12 times, followed by six victories from Premier League clubs.

This season, the German league is on its way to gain ground, while only Real Madrid continues to carry the Spanish flag after Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla all failed to progress.

Next to four English clubs (Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City), three Italian clubs (AC Milan, Napoli, Inter Milan) have progressed, while Juventus were eliminated.

While Bayern continue to target the 2022/23 trophy, Frankfurt is also speaking about having entered a new dimension in their development.

After winning last season's Europa League, the club claims to now have progressed to a new level.

"This team's spirit is something unique in today's football," coach Oliver Glasner said.

RB Leipzig have achieved a turnaround this season after appointing Marco Rose as head coach in place of Domenico Tedesco.

Relying on an efficient front line including French international Christopher Nkunku and German international Timo Werner, it seems far from impossible for the East German side to repeat their 2020 semifinal appearance. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)