Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has insisted the German league leaders will bounce back after a shock 2-1 defeat at Hanover ended their 13-match unbeaten run.
Both sides had a player sent off in Sunday's bad-tempered match, which resulted in Bayern suffering only their second defeat of the season.
Munich defender Jerome Boateng was sent off following a first-half melee and Hanover had captain Steven Cherundolo sent off after the US defender was shown his second yellow card of the game with 30 minutes left.
A first-half penalty by Norway striker Mohammed Abdellaoue and a second-half goal by Germany defender Christian Pander put Hanover ahead before Bayern's David Alaba grabbed a consolation goal with seven minutes remaining.
Munich vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger also hit the post with two minutes left in the tense final moments.
"We?ll come back stronger than before, we won?
't fold as a result," said Heynckes, whose team host second division Ingolstadt 04 in the second round of the German Cup on Wednesday.
"We didn?t get the rub of the green: first with the penalty, then the sending off.
"We had two huge chances after the break, and then another for Schweinsteiger just before the end.
"But all credit to my team, because we showed great morale. Despite the intimidating atmosphere, we concentrated hard and kept our cool.
"We?ve lost, but I?m happier than I was after some of our big wins."
Bayern captain Philipp Lahm, who gave away the first-half penalty converted by Abdellaoue, said his team had played well despite the defeat.
"Even when we were a man down, we created better chances than Hanover," said Lahm.
"Their second goal was a huge blow, but we still fought our way back into it and had enough chances to take a point."
Hanover striker Jan Schlaudraff, who spent an unsuccessful season at Bayern in 2007-08, said his team were delighted with the win, which left them fourth in the league.
"The way we battled away was outstanding," he said.
"It's obvious Bayern are setting the standard, despite their defeat. Even when they were a man down, they still put us under pressure.
"At the end of the day, our win was a little lucky, but not undeserved."
Source: AFP
