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'We must respect our rivals' - Heynckes urges Bayern to avoid complacency in Champions League
Aug 30, 2012 9:15:00 PM
The veteran is aware that his side are favourites to advance from their section in the opening stages of the competition, but refuses to underestimate their opponents
| Bet: | Returns: | Bayern £12.00 | Draw £60.00 | VfB Stuttgart £120.00 |
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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 £12.50 | Draw £60.00 | VfB Stuttgart £100.00 |
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The Bavarians will face Valencia, Lille and BATE Borisov in Group F as they look to make amends for their penalty shoot-out defeat to Chelsea in last year's final.
But while Heynckes is confident of Bayern's chances in progressing to the knockout stage, he acknowledges that they must not underestimate their rivals if they are to top the pool.
“It's definitely a manageable group for us, on paper. But the Champions League is difficult and you have to respect all your opponents. We're certainly looking forward to it," Heynckes told the club's official website.
Bayern sporting director Matthias Sammer shared a similar view, pointing out that Valencia could prove to be a difficult encounter.
“It's a draw which presents medium difficulty," mused the 1996 European Footballer of the Year.
"Our aim is clear enough: we want to make the next stage as group winners. If we turn in strong performances we'll impose ourselves on the group, but if we're in poor shape we'll have problems.
"Valencia are one of the top teams in Spain, so we'll prepare well."
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who proved to be Bayern's hero in their Champions League semi-final victory over Real Madrid last year, expressed how it was an easier draw than last year's, when they were drawn against Manchester City, Napoli and Villarreal.
“Valencia came third in Spain behind the big two of Barcelona and Madrid, and Lille have played quite a few games in the Champions League," he commented.
"But I still think we can be satisfied with the draw, as last year's group was tougher on paper."
Bayern Munich's Champions League campaign begins on September 18, when they will host Los Che at the Allianz Arena.
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Champions League final - LIVE!
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10:41 PM BST
Philipp Lahm is also relieved that Bayern have finally banished the memory of their heart-breaking - and thoroughly undeserved - loss to Chelsea last season.
"We worked unbelievably hard in last year's final and finally we have been rewarded," the Roten skipper enthused.
"We had to got through so much. But everybody worked so hard in the last months and weeks and now we have finally won it."
"We worked unbelievably hard in last year's final and finally we have been rewarded," the Roten skipper enthused.
"We had to got through so much. But everybody worked so hard in the last months and weeks and now we have finally won it."
10:39 PM BST
Even better stuff from Manuel Neuer, who arguably kept his side in the game during the opening 25 minutes, who admitted to Sky Sport Germany:
"I have to admit: after it went 1-1, I was scared as s**t! You remember how it went last year. The feeling when we scored was undescribable."
"I have to admit: after it went 1-1, I was scared as s**t! You remember how it went last year. The feeling when we scored was undescribable."
10:22 PM BST
Terrific stuff from Bayern attacking midfielder Thomas Muller, the kind of socks-around-the-ankles player that I think any true football fan inherently adores.
"It is hard to describe," he told ZDF. "I am completely done, I have cramps left and right. But I did not go off the pitch and it paid off. Physically I am over the limit now.
"When you are 68 years old and you have a record season and then you win the Champions League and have the chance for the triple, you can be happy you are 68 and not 25. Because then you can retire."
"It is hard to describe," he told ZDF. "I am completely done, I have cramps left and right. But I did not go off the pitch and it paid off. Physically I am over the limit now.
"When you are 68 years old and you have a record season and then you win the Champions League and have the chance for the triple, you can be happy you are 68 and not 25. Because then you can retire."
10:17 PM BST
An word from Goal Germany correspondent Tim Rohn on a night of redemption for Bayern Munich:
"One year after that bitter loss to Chelsea the Bayern are now the ones dancing on the pitch. BVB gets a farewell with much applause and a scraf parade. No matter that Bayern won: For every german football fan in London this will be a very long night."
"One year after that bitter loss to Chelsea the Bayern are now the ones dancing on the pitch. BVB gets a farewell with much applause and a scraf parade. No matter that Bayern won: For every german football fan in London this will be a very long night."
10:13 PM BST
Happily, Dortmund's players aren't feeling too down about things. They're proud of what they've done, and rightly so. They've lit up the competition with their fearless brand of football.
"We are proud," Weidenfeller told ZDF. "We stood up to Bayern and we've had a great season in the Champions League. We gave everything and did our best to win that trophy. But we will come back again."
Sebastian Kehl added: "We played a fantastic match and gave a great account of ourselves. We can be proud. And of course we will attack again next season."
"We are proud," Weidenfeller told ZDF. "We stood up to Bayern and we've had a great season in the Champions League. We gave everything and did our best to win that trophy. But we will come back again."
Sebastian Kehl added: "We played a fantastic match and gave a great account of ourselves. We can be proud. And of course we will attack again next season."
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