After FC Bayern’s Champions League exit, Lothar Matthäus has no understanding for what he considers to be a too gentle way of dealing with the knockout against Villarreal. “Those in charge said it was 1-1 nicer than it was. Three big chances are not Bayern-like, the demands and quality are actually higher,” wrote the German in a column for “kicker”.
CEO Oliver Kahn, former star goalkeeper and Matthäus’ teammate, got his fat. “He spoke plainly as a player. It would be nice if he returned there,” emphasized the 61-year-old. “He cannot say that you are satisfied with your own performance and that you have not seen the tactics at Villarreal,” wrote Matthäus. “If this is FC Bayern’s sense of entitlement, then he rowed in the wrong direction,” said Germany’s record international. And further: “There was a lack of self-image, of one-on-one situations, of determination to move forward. The classic FC Bayern DNA is missing, uncertainty has crept in,” said Matthäus.
After the failure, Kahn stood protectively in front of the players and emphasized their commitment and will.
Bayern President Herbert Hainer was combative in an interview with the “Bild” newspaper. “We are all disappointed because, with all due respect to Villarreal, we certainly don’t expect to be eliminated in the quarter-finals,” said the 67-year-old. “But FC Bayern has always distinguished itself by coming back stronger after setbacks. That’s exactly our job now.”
Munich have to become champions to save the season to some extent. Five laps before the end, the advantage over the pursuer Dortmund is nine points, so nothing should burn out. Bayern visit Bielefeld on Sunday, BVB will host VfL Wolfsburg tomorrow.
“If we end this season with the tenth championship title in a row, that will be a historic achievement in one of the top five leagues,” stressed Hainer. “We can be very proud of that. And next season we will attack with all our might again in the Champions League.”
Source: Nachrichten
