Bundesliga
Bundesliga
20.11.2009 11:42:21
Miroslav Klose hasn't managed a goal in nine games in the Bundesliga so far
"We've got to answer our critics"
The players are back after the international break and the clash with Leverkusen is just around the corner; and so begins the hottest phase of the Bundesliga thus far. It's got to be "the game of all games," at least that's what Bayern manager Uli Hoeneß is expecting.
"Of course the last few weeks haven't been ideal for training, but we've tried to get the best out of the time," said keeper Jörg Butt after the pause for internationals.
"Finally we can just focus completely on the Leverkusen game," continued Bayern's number one with a twinkle in his eye. "There's a lot of hype ahead of the game, but also a lot of tension."
Heynckes wants to make history with Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen's man between the sticks 2001 to 2007 knows exactly how it feels ahead of a game away against Bayern. The last time the Bayer boys won in the Bavarian capital was 1989.
20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the team from Leverkusen under the new leadership of Jupp Heynckes want a turning point of their own. The signs look good for the Rhinelanders, who come into this game three points clear at the top of the league.
"You've got to be consistently good across the season"
Bayern striker Miroslav Klose has been detached from the euphoria surrounding the league leaders at the moment. He sees it as just fleeting interest. "They're a good side, they play well and have some good players in the squad. Under Bruno Labbadia they were also a good team. But you've got to be consistently good across the season."
The German international seems to have identified Leverkusen's shortcoming. "Last season they didn't always win against the big sides. We'll have to wait and see how they manage this year."
"Eighth place is simply not good enough"
Whether Klose will be in the starting eleven on Sunday is still yet to be confirmed. The striker, who missed training this week and the Germany game on Wednesday due his children having swine flu, isn't 100% fit. "Of course I would have loved to train. My kids wanted to play football with me as well," said Klose with a wry grin.
In the game against top of the table Leverkusen, Klose is hoping to redress the balance of power - for him and for the team. In Bayern's last game on match day 12 the striker again failed to score claiming to be "unsatisfied" with his record this season. Aside from his personal statistics, Bayern's position is another cause for concern. "Everyone knows that eighth place simply isn't good enough. Everything is really close. We've got to get into a good run of form before Christmas." The 31 year old in speaking to bundesliga.de also voiced his worries. "You've got to look at the flip side of the coin. If we lose this game at home then we ll be nine points off the pace!"
"System just "secondary"
In the recent past there has been a lot of discussion about Bayern's best formation. For Butt it doesn t matter whether they play in a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3. The 35 year old has a different view. "We've just got to do what's best for Bayern. We've got to find the right system. With the players we've got we can play either way. That's all just a secondary thing. The deciding factor is how prepared the players are for the games.”
Furthermore, "We've got to focus and win the game. Nothing else matters really. We ve all got to answer our critics on the pitch on Sunday."
"Finally we can just focus completely on the Leverkusen game," continued Bayern's number one with a twinkle in his eye. "There's a lot of hype ahead of the game, but also a lot of tension."
Heynckes wants to make history with Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen's man between the sticks 2001 to 2007 knows exactly how it feels ahead of a game away against Bayern. The last time the Bayer boys won in the Bavarian capital was 1989.
20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the team from Leverkusen under the new leadership of Jupp Heynckes want a turning point of their own. The signs look good for the Rhinelanders, who come into this game three points clear at the top of the league.
"You've got to be consistently good across the season"
Bayern striker Miroslav Klose has been detached from the euphoria surrounding the league leaders at the moment. He sees it as just fleeting interest. "They're a good side, they play well and have some good players in the squad. Under Bruno Labbadia they were also a good team. But you've got to be consistently good across the season."
The German international seems to have identified Leverkusen's shortcoming. "Last season they didn't always win against the big sides. We'll have to wait and see how they manage this year."
"Eighth place is simply not good enough"
Whether Klose will be in the starting eleven on Sunday is still yet to be confirmed. The striker, who missed training this week and the Germany game on Wednesday due his children having swine flu, isn't 100% fit. "Of course I would have loved to train. My kids wanted to play football with me as well," said Klose with a wry grin.
In the game against top of the table Leverkusen, Klose is hoping to redress the balance of power - for him and for the team. In Bayern's last game on match day 12 the striker again failed to score claiming to be "unsatisfied" with his record this season. Aside from his personal statistics, Bayern's position is another cause for concern. "Everyone knows that eighth place simply isn't good enough. Everything is really close. We've got to get into a good run of form before Christmas." The 31 year old in speaking to bundesliga.de also voiced his worries. "You've got to look at the flip side of the coin. If we lose this game at home then we ll be nine points off the pace!"
"System just "secondary"
In the recent past there has been a lot of discussion about Bayern's best formation. For Butt it doesn t matter whether they play in a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3. The 35 year old has a different view. "We've just got to do what's best for Bayern. We've got to find the right system. With the players we've got we can play either way. That's all just a secondary thing. The deciding factor is how prepared the players are for the games.”
Furthermore, "We've got to focus and win the game. Nothing else matters really. We ve all got to answer our critics on the pitch on Sunday."
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