Schweinsteiger lauds Heynckes' set-piece masterstroke

17-Mar-2013 7:10:00 PM

The Germany midfielder praised the dead-ball tactics implemented by his coach after a free kick led to his side's winning goal against Bayer Leverkusen

Bastian Schweinsteiger feels Bayern Munich's pre-match focus on set pieces was key to his side's 2-1 triumph over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Simon Rolfes looked to have salvaged a point for the home side when he equalised following Mario Gomez's first-half strike, but the runaway leaders left with three points when Philipp Wollscheid turned Schweinsteiger's free kick into his own net three minutes from time.

The Germany international was thrilled to have sealed the win against their determined hosts, but insisted the winning goal was down to coach Jupp Heynckes' dead-ball tactics rather than simple good fortune.

"Here in Leverkusen, it is not easy to win. This is only the second home defeat for them," he told reporters after the match.

"We actually started quite well and played a good pressing game, always forcing long balls from Leverkusen. Then they came back because we made a few mistakes.

"In the end a goal from a set piece decided the game. Jupp Heynckes had previously told us exactly how we have to play the ball."

The result maintains Bayern's 20-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga, while Leverkusen remain third, four points adrift of Borussia Dortmund.