Uli Hoeneß Warns Bayern Munich: Respect Arsenal, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Europe’s Elite

Munich—Bayern Munich may sit atop the Bundesliga and remain on every pundit’s short list of Champions League contenders, but honorary president Uli Hoeneß has delivered a blunt reminder that arrogance is the quickest route to an early exit.

Speaking to BILD and relayed by @iMiaSanMia, Hoeneß pinpointed the clubs Bayern must treat with utmost seriousness when the knockout phase kicks off. “We won’t get cocky,” he insisted. “In the 1-3 defeat in London against Arsenal, we faced an opponent who was simply better on the day. And you can never underestimate clubs like Real Madrid, Liverpool, PSG, Barcelona, and Manchester City. They’re there when it matters, just waiting for the right moment.”

The warning carries extra weight after Bayern’s scintillating yet sobering autumn. A record-setting 16 consecutive wins to open the campaign—capped by a statement victory over Paris Saint-Germain—had many crowning the Bavarians before Halloween. Union Berlin’s late equaliser served as the first jolt, but Arsenal’s comprehensive 3-1 triumph in the Champions League group stage truly rattled the six-time European champions. Mikel Arteta’s side dominated set pieces and controlled the second half in a fashion Bayern traditionally reserve for others.

Hoeneß, a constant presence at the club since his playing days, believes the lesson must linger. “In the Champions League, there are many, many opponents that can beat you,” he stressed, noting that none of the continent’s traditional giants eliminated Bayern last season—Scottish champions Celtic pushed them to the brink in the playoff round before Inter Milan ended the run in the quarter-finals.

With the knockout rounds approaching, Bayern’s hierarchy is determined to keep egos in check. Hoeneß’s message is clear: talent and pedigree matter, but respect matters more.