Before leaving the Bavarians, Xherdan was a regular in the top European competition but with Inter and then the Potters he had to spend three years without a taste of the Champions League.
However, a move to Liverpool brought him back to the Champions League and eventually to the Allianz Arena.
“It’s two top sides going against each other,” Shaqiri told Goal. “For me it is the best game in this competition and it’s going to be very intense. I love to play in the Champions League. After a long time it has been really nice to be back playing in it. It is at another level, a top level.
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“Obviously Liverpool did very well in the Champions League last year but didn’t win it. Now we have a big chance to go very far again. But to go through we must beat a top side.”
Shaqiri has not been to Munich since joining the Serie A side and is relishing the return now. He may be nostalgic but it won’t stop the Swiss from scoring if he gets the chance.
“I’ve not been back there,” he added. “It was difficult with Stoke and I was there for three years. Even with Inter Milan, we only played in the Europa League so this will be the first time. Bayern Munich is a massive club and one of the best in the world. A lot of people are going to come to watch and I am very happy to be going back there after a long time, to play in the Allianz Arena.
“It’s an amazing stadium to play in. Obviously, it’s going to be a very good game and I wanted this – I wanted to play against Bayern Munich. I’m looking forward to seeing my old team-mates and also the people I worked together with at Bayern Munich. It’s going to be emotional for me because I had an amazing time and we won a lot of titles.
“I will never forget this but I want to go there and win the game.”