Strikes from Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic ensured Lukas Podolski’s shouldered attempt was nothing more than a consolation on Tuesday

Franck Ribery has hailed Bayern Munich’s “very important” goals at Arsenal in Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 triumph.

The Bavarians head into the second leg with a 3-1 advantage over Arsene Wenger’s men, as goals from Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller and Mario Mandzukic made Lukas Podolski’s controversial strike nothing more than a consolation.

The French winger told reporters after the match: “The first half was great for us, we played very well and we scored twice.

“The first goal of Arsenal’s was weird, but this can sometimes happen in football. Then the confidence came back for them and their supporters, but scoring the third goal is very important for us.”

Muller, whose strike at the Emirates doubled the lead for Jupp Heynckes’ side after 21 minutes, refused to suggest die Roten had one foot in the quarter-finals.

“You’ve been in the business long enough to know that we as footballers dislike saying that we’re half way there, or to say that we’ve already qualified,” he said, curtly.

“We played well, we reached a good result ahead of the second leg and I presume that we can progress, but we still have one game to go.”

Bavarian goalkeeper Manuel Neuer believes it is all to play for in the Allianz Arena clash on March 13, and expressed that knock-out stage progression was in their grasp if they focus on the task at hand.

“The victory was an important step, [but] in the second leg our attitude must be good,” the German shot-stopper said.

“We want to win this game, but need to show the right motivation and attitude. Then we will make it.”