Pafos head coach says Bayern clash is "dream come true"

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, Pafos FC head coach Juan Carlos Carcedo has expressed his delight to be in competition with the seven-time champions of Europe. 

“Playing this big game is a dream come true for us,” said Carcedo, who took over at the Cypriot club in 2023, before winning the 2024/25 title earned a shot at Champions League qualification just 11 years after the club’s formation.

“We will try to represent the team, the country and Cypriot football in the best way,” he added, with Pafos being the first team from Cyprus to reach the group/league phase of the Champions League since Apoel Nicosia in the 2017/18 campaign.

After winning the Cypriot First Division for the first time in their history, the club entered at the second qualifying stage before defeating Maccabi Tel Aviv and Dynamo Kyiv.

On Tuesday’s opponents, Carcedo added: “Bayern is the most in-form team in Europe at the moment. We know how difficult it will be. It will be a tough challenge. But we’ll try to enjoy it and play our best football.”

Ex-Chelsea, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz is also part of Carcedo’s squad, and was originally a doubt heading into the fixture. As revealed by the manager, though: “David Luiz will be ready.”