Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes has praised Thomas Muller's performance after the German club secured a 5-0 win at home to Besiktas on Tuesday evening.
Bayern all but secured their spot in the last eight of the Champions League with two goals from Muller, who struck either side of Kinglsey Coman, before Robert Lewandowski added a brace of his own.
Heynckes has said that German international Muller, who spent time on the sidelines earlier in the season due to a muscle fibre problem, is a vital part of his team.
"It's really interesting if such matches come up how the players get fit and how they get prepared," the coach told reporters. "If we look at Thomas, it's really extreme. He knows the Champions League is something special and we have to show special performances.
"I think that if Thomas hadn't been injured for five weeks then he could have scored even more goals because he, as a player, shows strong performances and he always motivates the other players. He is a player that fits in well and is an important part of our system.
"Out of nothing he can score goals, like the first goal or the second one where we were successful with our vertical play. With quick reactions, he was at the right time, at the right place and this is typical Muller. He is able to do it."
Bayern travel to Istanbul for the second leg of the tie on March 14.
Jonny Whitfield
