Uli Hoeness has promised that Bayern Munich will not repeat their 4-0 defeat of 2009 to Barcelona in the clubs’ upcoming Champions League semi-final.
In Bayern’s last European encounter with Barca, the Catalans comfortably won the first leg of their 2008-09 Champions League quarter-final 4-0, before a 1-1 result back in Germany eliminated the Bavarians.
However, in looking ahead to the upcoming semi-final meetings at the Allianz Arena next Tuesday and at the Camp Nou eight days later, Bayern’s President has reflected on how things are different now.
“It is true that in 2009 we had Ribery and Luca Toni, but there was also the question of who was Coach at the time,” Hoeness commented in Sport Bild today, in reference to then boss Jurgen Klinsmann.
“It is necessary to have a real football Coach. Jupp [Heynckes] knows the Spanish League from within and from without, not only from his time there, but now.
“He watches the games so nothing will catch him by surprise. He has great personality and does not need to seek advice from anyone, he can face it alone.”
This was in reference to speculation that former Barca Coach Pep Guardiola could offer advice to Heynckes, the man he is set to replace in the summer.
Hoeness revealed that the announcement of this coaching switch back in January did cause a rift with Heynckes.
“I admit that there was some tension between Jupp and I, though I never stopped talking, we always kept in touch.
“Perhaps our relationship is not as strong as before, but it has returned to normal.”
The President was also asked about the possibility of one day bringing Lionel Messi to Bayern.
“Everyone talks about Messi, but with us Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Muller, Badstuber and Alaba have become stars.
“We do not hide it, we have produced some great stars. We can be proud of this and keep pace with Barcelona.”
Hoeness had commented before the semi-final draw that he wanted to be paired with Borussia Dortmund, as the easiest team for the Bavarians to face.
“I just wanted to be honest, not to bother anyone. At this high level, Dortmund are the best team to face.
“But we are thankful to Borussia, because they have been a great challenge and thanks to them we have reached this strong level ourselves.”
