He claims that the Bundesliga club's run to the brink of the Champions League final has made the rest of Europe stand up and take note and even fear the Bavarians.

"We have worked up lots of respect internationally," he told the Tz newspaper.

"In recent years, we have only ever reached the quarter-finals at best and now we have a decent chance of reaching the final.

"That has turned the international focus back on FC Bayern.

"With our fantastic games since the first knockout round, Europe has more respect for us."

But Rummenigge also admitted that he had not expected his side to be so competitive in Louis van Gaal's first season in charge.

They hold a 1-0 advantage over Lyon following the first leg of their semi-final clash in Munich on Wednesday night.

"I am extremely surprised," he said. "Nobody would have predicted Bayern would reach the final and now we have a chance of doing that.

"I think we have a 51/49 chance of reaching the final in Madrid."