Thomas Tuchel: 'No difference in class' between Bayern Munich and Manchester City

Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has spoken out after his side's Champions League quarter-final defeat to Manchester City, insisting that there is "no difference in class" between the two clubs.

Despite City winning 4-1 on aggregate over both legs of the tie, Tuchel was keen to stress that the margin of victory was not down to a disparity in quality. Instead, he argued that it was a matter of confidence and form.

"For the little we allowed (City) to do, we were brutally punished," Tuchel said after the match. "There's no difference in class. It looks like that from the results, but it's actually a difference in self-confidence and in form."

Tuchel's Bayern were beaten 4-1 on aggregate, with City scoring three goals in the first leg before securing a 1-1 draw in the second. Despite having more possession and creating more chances than their opponents in both matches, Bayern were unable to convert their opportunities into goals.

"We played against the best team in Europe today, the most in-form team in Europe," Tuchel said. "We played completely on the same level, (but) in either game we didn't have even a tiny bit of luck."

The Bayern manager also criticised the performance of referee Clement Turpin, whom he gave "a grade F, from his first to his last decision". Tuchel was sent to the stands late in the match after receiving a second yellow card.

Since taking over from Julian Nagelsmann earlier this month, Tuchel has overseen Bayern's elimination from the Champions League and the German Cup. The club's only remaining chance for silverware this season is in the Bundesliga, where they sit two points clear of Dortmund with six matches to play.

Bayern face a tough test against in-form Mainz away on Saturday as they look to secure a record-extending 11th consecutive league title. However, Tuchel remains confident in his team's ability to bounce back.

"To beat the best teams, not just to measure up against them but to beat them, you need to not only use 100 percent of your chances, but you need luck, you need decisions to go your way and maybe even a deflection," he said. "We will learn from this and come back stronger."

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