Bayern are re-writing history: Rummenigge
BERLIN (AFP) –
Barcelona’s Marc Bartra (left) is challenged by Bayern Munich’s Javier Martinez during the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg match at the Camp Nou stadium on May 1, 2013. The current Bayern side are rewriting the club’s history after their 3-0 win at Barcelona put them into a third Champions League final in four years, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said.
The current Bayern Munich side are rewriting the club’s history after their 3-0 win at Barcelona put them into a third Champions League final in four years in their chase for a historic treble of European, league and cup titles, chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said.
“This team can re-write the club’s history and I am convinced that we’ll do it, you’re a determined bunch,” Rummenigge told the Bayern squad in the early hours of Thursday morning after Barcelona lost 7-0 on aggregate over the semi-final’s two legs.
For the first time, two German teams will contest a European Cup final after Borussia Dortmund booked their place at Wembley on May 25 with a 4-3 win over Real Madrid on aggregate in the other semi-final.
Bayern are bidding to become the first team to win the treble having already won the Bundesliga title with a record six games to spare and have reached the German Cup final, where they will play VfB Stuttgart on June 1 at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.
But after losing last year’s final on penalties to Chelsea at Munich’s Allianz Arena, this Bayern team are determined to win the Champions League at the third attempt, having also been beaten by Inter Milan in the 2010 final.
“The joy of reaching the final is huge, but we still have the two lost finals at the back of our minds,” said midfielder Thomas Mueller.
“We’re working on it and we want to finally bring this bloody thing back to Munich: that’s what we’re focused on.”
While Mueller insisted the post-match celebrations had been “slightly disappointing” as the Bayern team restricted themselves to only a few beers in their dressing room, Rummenigge made a cheeky joke ahead of Saturday’s Bundesliga match at final opponents Dortmund.
“You have an easy game coming up. You don’t need to prepare, let it rip, you’re already German champions,” he told the team before adding: “I wouldn’t want to send out any challenges in Dortmund’s direction, we are too stylish for that.”
Despite permission to indulge in a few celebrations, Mueller said the job is only half done.
“The motivation is extremely high, we are really up for it, that’s a good thing,” said the Germany star.
Regardless of the winner at Wembley, the Champions League trophy will be won by a German team for the first time since 2001, but coach Jupp Heynckes has said Bayern can win the treble.
“We were convinced that we could reach the final, because the team is playing in a magnificent way. We can do the treble,” said the 67-year-old who will be replaced by ex-Barca coach Pep Guardiola in July when his two-year contract expires.
“If we look at the whole tie, we have won 7-0. It couldn’t be more clear and now we have to enjoy it.
“We couldn’t have imagined that we would win the first-leg 4-0 and then the second 3-0.”
Captain Philipp Lahm has said while it is “great for Germany” for Bayern to face Dortmund in the final, “who we face plays no role for us”.
After winning no silverware in their two previous season, Bayern are sweeping all before them this term.
“We all have a huge hunger for success,” said Heynckes, who said he was pleased none of the six players in danger of being suspended for the final picked up a booking in Barcelona.
“We have worked on our outstanding defence and have matured as a group.
“We are unified and we have goals.”