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Bayern boss Heynckes defends Gomez: Even Gerd Muller was not perfect
Jul 26, 2012 6:51:00 PM
The former Bayer Leverkusen coach is exasperated by people complaining about his forward's strike rate, and also revealed that he is optimistic about the new campaign
| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £12.00 | Draw £60.00 | VfB Stuttgart £130.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £11.70 | Draw £60.00 | VfB Stuttgart £100.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £12.22 | Draw £60.00 | VfB Stuttgart £120.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £11.80 | Draw £70.00 | VfB Stuttgart £150.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £12.00 | Draw £65.00 | VfB Stuttgart £130.00 |
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The Germany international was one of the scapegoats for Bayern's failure to put Chelsea away in the Champions League final in May - a game they went on to lose on penalties - while his place in die Mannschaft's attack came under constant scrutiny during Euro 2012.
Heynckes feels that the lack of faith and confidence in Gomez is unwarranted, arguing that he is being judged by a set of standards that nobody could possibly live up to.
"He has an outstanding strike rate," the coach pointed out in an interview with Kicker. "He delivered in the European Championship. I cannot understand the discussion surrounding him.
"The perfect striker does not exist. Even Gerd Muller, the top scorer in our nation's history, was not perfect."
Despite his disappointment at coming off second best to Borussia Dortmund in both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal final last season, not to mention the Champions League heartbreak at the hands of the Blues, Heynckes is looking forward to the new campaign, revealing that he has been buoyed by his troops' application in pre-season training.
"It makes me optimistic when I see us working as we are, not only on the pitch, but even in the gym," the former Real Madrid boss enthused. "We will have a better team than last year."
Heynckes also revealed that he has already established a great rapport with the club's new sporting director, Matthias Sammer.
"It is outstanding," he declared. "We are on the same wavelength. It is great fun working with Matthias."
Legendary Germany sweeper Sammer succeeded Christian Nerlinger in the position earlier in July.
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Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
11:08 PM BST
Right, that's just about it from me, folks. Thank you so much for all your contributions. We hyped this one up. We said it was going to showcase everything that is great about German football. And you know what? It delivered. It was an absolutely absorbing final between the continent's top two sides, a fitting conclusion to what has been a fantastic tournament. Impossible not to feel so, so sorry for Dortmund but they need only to look at what Bayern have done tonight, lifting the trophy just 12 months after throwing it away, to see that it's possible to bounce back from this kind of devastation.
But Bayern deserve this. They've paid their dues and nobody can dispute that they are the best team in Europe. Bayern, we salute you. Over to everyone else now to try to come up with a way to beat this most wonderfully balanced of sides! But, until next season, good night - and good luck.
But Bayern deserve this. They've paid their dues and nobody can dispute that they are the best team in Europe. Bayern, we salute you. Over to everyone else now to try to come up with a way to beat this most wonderfully balanced of sides! But, until next season, good night - and good luck.
11:00 PM BST
Dortmund boss Jurgen Klopp has finally faced the press and, judging by his comments, is a tad upset with perhaps something other than the final scoreline.
"First and foremost, congratulations to Bayern Munich because they won so it's not important to speak about what happened in the game," he told ITV1. "After the game you have to respect the result and that's what we do now.
"I didn't see (Robben's) goal. It was a free-kick and we were not in the right formation at that moment. It was late in the game and it has been a really hard season for us. But Bayern Munich had to fight too. We deserved to be in the final and we showed this tonight."
"First and foremost, congratulations to Bayern Munich because they won so it's not important to speak about what happened in the game," he told ITV1. "After the game you have to respect the result and that's what we do now.
"I didn't see (Robben's) goal. It was a free-kick and we were not in the right formation at that moment. It was late in the game and it has been a really hard season for us. But Bayern Munich had to fight too. We deserved to be in the final and we showed this tonight."
10:56 PM BST
Sir Alex Ferguson also has a new job... Well, kind of. The former Manchester United boss was entrusted with the honour of presenting the man of the match award after the game and relished the task: "It's my first job since I retired and it's a pleasure!"
Robben humbly received his accolade before commenting: "I think it’s such a shame a world-class trainer is leaving the game." Quite.
Robben humbly received his accolade before commenting: "I think it’s such a shame a world-class trainer is leaving the game." Quite.
10:51 PM BST
Heynckes, class act that he is, was also quick to empathise with a devastated Dortmund.
"I told their players: I know your disappointment after losing a final. I lost a final to Liverpool, too.
"During the first half we had trouble to get into the game. At half-time a adjusted our play. I think both teams felt pressure. If you see that you have a 25-point-lead in the league, it is normal you are the favourite. But after 30 minutes we freed ourselves.
"Over the past year, we improved and improved. We improved and modified so many details. I was stricter and I have to say that the players followed me and there is harmony in the dressing room."
"I told their players: I know your disappointment after losing a final. I lost a final to Liverpool, too.
"During the first half we had trouble to get into the game. At half-time a adjusted our play. I think both teams felt pressure. If you see that you have a 25-point-lead in the league, it is normal you are the favourite. But after 30 minutes we freed ourselves.
"Over the past year, we improved and improved. We improved and modified so many details. I was stricter and I have to say that the players followed me and there is harmony in the dressing room."
10:48 PM BST
And finally we get to hear from Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes, who will be replaced by Pep Guardiola this summer.
The big news is, though, that he seems to have a job lined up for himself, which restores one's faith in our fickle game, given the man is now a two-time Champions League winner!
"The decision on what I will do after the DFB Pokal match (against Stuttgart next saturday) was already taken last June? Retire? No, you will learn that after the DFB Pokal final."
The big news is, though, that he seems to have a job lined up for himself, which restores one's faith in our fickle game, given the man is now a two-time Champions League winner!
"The decision on what I will do after the DFB Pokal match (against Stuttgart next saturday) was already taken last June? Retire? No, you will learn that after the DFB Pokal final."
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