After German giants' nine-match winning streak ends against minnows BATE Borisov, Munich boss Heynckes urges team to approach every game like a final
Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has insisted they must now treat every Champions League match as if it were the final in the wake of their shock defeat at BATE Borisov.
Bayern lost 3-1 in Minsk on Tuesday to leave them third in Group F after two games with their next European game at Lille, France, on October 23.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bate goalkeeper Andrei Gorbunov u00a0punches the ball away as Bayern’s Dante (second from right) and Mario Mandzukic (centre) lurk dangerously. Pic/AFP
The Belarus champions earned their second Champions League win to top the table with six points after midfielder Aleksandr Pavlov, then striker Vitali Rodionov put them 2-0 up with 12 minutes left.
France winger Franck Ribery pulled back a consolation goal in added time, but a brilliant Renan Bressan goal from a counter-attack in the 94th minute gave the hosts victory.
It was a first defeat for the Bavarians in 10 games this season and was also their first since losing the Champions League final at home to Chelsea on penalties in May.
“We know that we now can’t afford to give away any more points in the Champions League and that we have to approach every game as if it were a final,” said Heynckes.
“Perhaps this scenario will mean we will be fully focussed, concentrated and motivated for each game to go all out.”
After Bayern’s director of sport Matthias Sammer criticised the team for a lacklustre performance in Saturday’s 2-0 Bundesliga win at Werder Bremen there appears to be tension between him and the coach.
“I know from experience that it is very important to address things in-house,” said Heynckes.u00a0
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
