Butt backs Bayern to progress

FC Bayern München goalkeeper Jörg Butt is confident his team will book their progress from UEFA Champions League Group E at the first opportunity as they visit CFR 1907 Cluj on Wednesday.

Having beaten all of their group rivals in the first three matchdays, including a 3-2 defeat of CFR a fortnight ago, Bayern can secure their round of 16 berth with two games to spare with a point in Romania. However, Butt is demanding more than a draw. "We want to get three points and qualify as quickly as possible," he said. "Everything is very clear in the table – we have nine points from three games and are very confident. We are not even considering the possibility of losing here."

The 36-year-old custodian, who will play his 87th UEFA club competition match in Cluj-Napoca, is adamant that CFR's own requirement of a victory to stay in contention is of no concern. "We aren't thinking about the differences between Bayern and Cluj because we approach each game the same – we play to win and we're thinking only about winning this match, not who we're playing against," he said.

Nor is the prospect of tackling Cluj's unorthodox young forward Lacina Traoré worrying the former Hamburger SV and Bayer 04 Leverkusen keeper. "We saw Traoré two weeks ago and have spoken about him but how we stop him scoring is decided by the coach. It is difficult to focus on just one player, it is more about how we approach the game as a team. There are special players you have to concentrate on in any side, but we approach every situation the same way."

Defender Philipp Lahm, meanwhile, is unequivocal in his assessment of Bayern's chances of victory but conceded that the strength of this season's competition means they cannot be complacent. "We have had a great start in our first three games and hope to continue in the same fashion and qualify with maximum points," he said.

"It's very important that we win – it is a Champions League game, we can earn qualification, and to do this we must give everything. Of course, we want a better performance than we gave in the first match against Cluj and we want everything to go to plan, but you cannot rely on this always happening in the Champions League."