'It never happens in Munich' - Owen Hargreaves on Harry Kane's trophy dreams and Bayern's struggles under Thomas Tuchel

Bayern Munich are "definitely not favourites" to win the UEFA Champions League this season, says the club's ex-midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who reckons that Harry Kane's goals and the "stress" around the team could "galvanise" them into saving their season.

Bayern are entirely unaccustomed to going any campaign trophyless, having not done so since 2011/12, but the Champions League represents their best chance of silverware in 2023/24, with Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen going so strongly in the Bundesliga and Thomas Tuchel's side out of the DFB-Pokal.

Bayern, who will see Tuchel leave the manager's position in the summer, found something approaching their best form in their last-16 triumph over Lazio, and Hargreaves thinks that getting back their full strength starting XI holds the key to success.

Speaking to TNT Sports, Hargreaves said: "They [Bayern] have got such a good squad and starting XI, they lack probably a little bit of depth.

"But I think if they get everybody fit, [Serge] Gnabry came back fit [in the second leg of the Lazio tie], Alphonso Davies came off the bench, if they get Kingsley Coman, if they get every one of their starting players fit, with [Jamal] Musiala, Harry Kane and [Manuel] Neuer, they've got an amazing starting XI.

"So I think they could win it [the Champions League], they're definitely not favourites. But who knows, maybe all the stress could galvanise the group. I mean I doubt it.

"I'm hoping for them that they can find a way to finish the season [well]. It would be amazing to see Thomas walk away, after everything that's happened, winning the Champions League.

"For Kane I just want him to get his hands on a trophy. Bayern have won one 12 years in a row, and now he's there they might not win one. It never happens in Munich, you normally win at least two. So it would be amazing to see Harry get his hands on something.

"It happens," the ex-Manchester United and England midfielder continued. "Next year Bayern will be there. Maybe they can win something this year. Next year though, they'll be back strong.

"Clubs like that, if things don't go to plan they don't sit still. There will be a lot of changes with Thomas leaving, and personnel-wise.

"On their best day they can beat anyone. In Lazio, they were terrible - didn't have a shot on target.

"But in the last game, they played pretty well and Lazio didn't have a shot on target.

"With all the attacking players they have, they'll score goals. They've just got to find a way to be a bit better defensively.

"They're a little bit too open at times, and especially when you play the top teams - [Manchester] City, Real Madrid and PSG - you're going to struggle."

"It felt like the world stopped for me," Hargreaves said of his first full Champions League appearance back in 2001, when he trotted out for Bayern in their semi-final against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu alongside such luminaries as Luis Figo and Raul.

"I remember looking across thinking 'I'm in big trouble here playing against the most expensive player in the world.'

"That game changed my career - it made me believe in myself way more than I probably did."

That experience - coming through Bayern's academy to reach the first team - is one that Aleksandar Pavlovic has taken over 20 years later, with the young German starring in Bayern's second-leg victory over Lazio.

On the emerging star, Hargreaves said: "I was really impressed with Pavlovic - I thought he was Bayern's best player. Played amazing, great maturity, good passer, really underrated.

"It reminded me a long time ago when I came through like that.

"On the ball he's very, very good. Reminded me a bit of Michael Carrick vibes, really smooth, good passer, always in the right position, reading the game."

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