Every Euro game now a cup final, says Bayern boss

03 October 2012 15:47

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has insisted they must now treat every Champions League match as if it were the final in the wake of their shock defeat at BATE Borisov.

Bayern lost 3-1 in Minsk on Tuesday to leave them third in Group F after two games with their next European game at Lille, France, on October 23.

The Belarus champions earned their second Champions League win to top the table with six points after midfielder Aleksandr Pavlov, then striker Vitali Rodionov put them 2-0 up with 12 minutes left.

France wing Franck Ribery pulled back a consolation goal in added time, but a brilliant Renan Bressan goal from a counter-attack in the 94th minute gave the hosts victory.

It was a first defeat for the Bavarians in 10 games this season and was also their first since losing the Champions League final at home to Chelsea on penalties in May.

"We know that we now can't afford to give away any more points in the Champions League and that we have to approach every game as if it were a final," said Heynckes.

"Perhaps this scenario will mean we will be fully focused, concentrated and motivated for each game to go all out."

After Bayern's director of sport Matthias Sammer criticised the team for a lacklustre performance in Saturday's 2-0 Bundesliga win at Werder Bremen there appears to be tension between him and the coach.

"I know from experience that it is very important to address things in-house," said Heynckes.

Heynckes said he left Germany star Bastian Schweinsteiger out of the starting team in Minsk because he was showing signs of fatigue in Bremen.

Although his team have won all six Bundesliga games so far to top the domestic table, Heynckes is bracing himself for a backlash if Bayern fail to win their next league game at home to Hoffenheim on Saturday.

"I know that everything will be viewed negatively when you lose 3-1, but we don't see it as negative," he said.

"We knew they would be tough team to beat at home and we have to handle it very objectively.

"We were lacking a bit everywhere: in our concentration, in the last pass and in front of goal.

"And it's not as if you suddenly lost a game, everything that has been positive to date gets pulped."

Source: AFP