Der ehemalige Bayern-Chef Karl-Heinz Rummenigge hat eine Woche vor dem großen nationalen Fußball-Duell mit Bayer Leverkusen im Achtelfinale der Champions League verbal vorgelegt. „Wissen Sie, was mich optimistisch macht? Dass alle Bayer Leverkusen zum Favoriten erklärt haben“, sagte der 69-Jährige als Gast bei der Premiere des Films „Thomas Müller – Einer wie keiner“ in einem Münchner Kino.
„Ich kenne unsere Mannschaft“, sagte der ehemalige Vorstandsvorsitzende des Bundesliga-Tabellenführers in kämpferischem Tonfall vor dem Hinspiel am kommenden Mittwoch (21.00 Uhr im F.A.Z.-Liveticker zur Champions League und bei DAZN): „Das stinkt der Mannschaft bis zum Gehtnichtmehr. Und dementsprechend erwarte ich nächsten Mittwoch, dass unsere Mannschaft Vollgas vor eigener Kulisse gibt – und dann mit elf Mann spielt.“
„Sieht nicht so schlecht aus“
Das Ende des Satzes bezog sich auf das 0:1 im Achtelfinale des DFB-Pokals gegen Vorjahressieger Leverkusen Anfang Dezember, als die Münchner daheim nach einer Roten Karte für Kapitän und Torwart Manuel Neuer in Unterzahl aus dem Wettbewerb flogen.
Both season games ended in the Bundesliga. In the recent 0-0 in Leverkusen, however, the German champion and second in the table dominated Bayern in an amazing way.
After the 4-0 win of his Bavaria last Sunday in the home game against third-party Eintracht Frankfurt, Rummenigge was confident. “It doesn't look that bad. We now have an important week ahead of us with the game on Friday in Stuttgart and next week against Leverkusen in the Champions League, ”said the former international. Bayern open the 24th matchday this Friday with the south classic at VfB (8.30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and at DAZN).
“Have to play better than last”
A royal class against the large national rival Bayer 04 would hit Bayern hard. Especially because the Champions League final takes place in Munich this year. In the documentary about Bayern star Müller, which can be seen at Amazon Prime from March 4, it becomes clear how much the Bavarian bosses and today's supervisory board members Hoeneß and Rummenigge also make the bitter defeat in the “Finale Dahoam” FC Chelsea still hurts in 2012.
Once again in the final on May 31st in the Allianz Arena and winning the title this time is therefore a very big goal, especially in the year of the 125th club birthday on Thursday.
Hoeneß said, and warned: “It would be very arrogant to talk about the title in the knockout rounds. It would of course be a dream to get into the final in your own stadium. But we have to play better there than last. “
However, the honorary president also makes the appearance against Frankfurt more confident again. “I really liked the game. That was exactly FC Bayern, which I imagine and who is able to beat every team in the world, “said the 73-year-old:” By Saturday afternoon I did not have the hope of the Champions League final, Hope has grown a little since Sunday evening. “
