Bayern Munich should get the result they need against Sevilla, but it is a performance that they most crave

Having got away with a sub-par display in Spain, Bayern have an advantage and two away goals to sit on. But for their own belief, Wednesday's game should be one where they make a statement

Bayern won in Seville and are big favourites to go through (Getty)

Bayern Munich shouldn't need to be at their best to complete their return to the Champions League final four but they could do with laying down a marker, even if it's just to convince themselves that they can win the whole thing.

The Bavarian giants were pretty ordinary in Seville last week but came from behind to comprehensively take control of this quarter-final tie. It was a result, rather than a performance, at a time when Bayern's objectives this season are narrowing.

Having formalised another Bundesliga title at the weekend, their initial objective for Wednesday's game at the Allianz is simply to secure a berth in the Champions League semi-finals. Last year's elimination at the hands of eventual winners Real Madrid deprived them of a spot in the final four for the first time in five years. Bayern are virtual ever-presents at European football's top table but they have yet to look up to that standard this season.

That trudging performance in Seville improved when Arturo Vidal, up to that point a complete statue, was taken off with an injury and James Rodriguez introduced. Perhaps that same line-up this week would afford them more control than an unnerving display at the Sanchez Pizjuan, where they easily could have been two or three goals behind when Pablo Sarabia eventually swept home Sevilla's goal.

Had it not been for a number of last-ditch interventions - most notably Mats Hummels' sliding block to open the second half - then the Spaniards might have been taking a handy lead to Germany. Instead, a freak own-goal and a second-half header flipped the quarter-final on its head.

"There is already a lot of talk about the semi-final but let us first play a great game tomorrow and advance. Sevilla have shown what they can do away from home," said Arjen Robben.

"If we want to win the Champions League then we will have to improve."

That concession, that Bayern must improve, is crucial at a time when the club's plans are in flux. Jupp Heynckes took over from Carlo Ancelotti on an interim basis earlier this season and was expected to hand over the reins to Julian Nagelsmann. But then Hoffenheim's season went a little south and Bayern were revealed to have held talks with Thomas Tuchel, a man who impressed them after exiting Dortmund under a bit of a cloud.

Tuchel, however, is now being reported as Paris Saint-Germain's new coach and thus things have become a little cloudy once again. A good performance and progression to the semis will at least clear the picture for the rest of this campaign.