Proud Bayern keep feet firmly on ground

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1321 votes: 2

28.09.2006

Even as skilled a media operator as Uli Hoeneß had his hands full dealing with a torrent of congratulations following Wednesday's stunning victory at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium in Milan. Even while taking reporters' questions in the mixed zone, the Bayern general manager accepted a message of praise on his mobile phone, simultaneously shaking hands with Luis Figo, a generous figure in defeat.

Back at the team hotel, Hoeneß went straight to the authentic Bavarian bar set up by partner Paulaner breweries and savoured a celebratory beer. He had every reason to be pleased: Bayern's 2-0 victory against Internazionale was the German champions' first win on Italian soil in 18 years. "It was a terrific and important win," Karl-Heinz Rummenigge declared in his speech to the traditional midnight banquet. "We can return to Munich full of pride."

Always dominant

The disappointing 42,000 crowd at the San Siro saw goals from Claudio Pizarro (81) and substitute Lukas Podolski (90 +1) seal what Rummenigge described as "a totally deserved victory" against the Italian league leaders. "We were always in control and the way we contained Inter was brilliant," coach Felix Magath enthused. Bayern's dominance was underlined by the statistics showing 54 percent possession and 15 shots at goal to the home side's seven.

"What pleased me was the manner in which we approached the game," Hoeneß remarked. Added Rummenigge: "We played with great discipline. You can't say that about Inter. The two sendings-off cleared the way for us." The home side overstepped the mark defining robust but fair play several times, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic' second yellow card on 58 minutes, followed by a straight red for Fabio Grosso five minutes from time, must rate as justice done.

Not carried away

"We refused to be provoked by the Italians, which wasn't easy," Hoeneß said in praise of his players. However, the general manager proved unable to contain himself in the closing stages and was sent to the stands after overdoing his verbal defence of the visiting team. "That's the first sending off of my life," Hoeneß revealed, not without a note of pride in his voice.

Targeting top spot

"We're proud and delighted, but one swallow does not a summer make," Rummenigge warned. "We have no reason for euphoria. We've achieved nothing yet. We have to convert this opportunity and win the group, although we now have two tough matches against Lisbon. It would be fantastic if we were still top of the table after that." Magath agreed: "We've carved out a good position, but it's only a start."

Captain Oliver Kahn, who twice prevented his side conceding the opener with stunning saves, felt his men had turned in "a very, very clever team display" which could be the platform for greater things. The next test arrives on Saturday with the trip to bottom club VfL Wolfsburg. "I'll only believe today's victory was worth anything if we follow up by winning in Wolfsburg," Kahn declared.

Turning point?

"I'm convinced that will give us the rhythm we need in the Bundesliga, and we'll keep playing that way from now on. I think it's the result we needed," Magath summarised. Potentially, defeating Inter could turn out the turning point of the season for the Reds.