'Discipline is where it all starts'

Miroslav Klose rates as one of the most experienced players in the current Bayern squad. Last term was mixed for the 31-year-old striker, as he spent a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a foot injury. But the man capped 88 times by Germany is now fully fit and raring to go. Klose spoke to fcbayern.de in Donaueschingen about pre-season, new training methods, and targets for the coming season.

Interview: Miroslav Klose

fcbayern.de: Miro, what's your take on three weeks of pre-season?
Miroslav Klose: "I could go back to bed right now!“

fcbayern.de: Are you more mentally tired or physically?
Klose: "It's a heavy burden on your concentration. It's a new system, we have a lot of new things to learn, so I think the mental thing is a little more to the fore than the physical. But that's part of pre-season too, so you're always a bit tired at this stage.“

fcbayern.de: You've played under a few coaches in your time. Are the current training methods new to you, or have you seen it all before?
Klose: "Every coach has his own philosophy and way of working. It was like that when I started under Otto Rehhagel, and now, ten years later, Louis van Gaal is something totally different again. It was all practice matches in the past, but now we work a lot with the ball, working with both feet. There's a real difference.“

fcbayern.de: Do you prefer the old-fashioned ways?
Klose: "No, I think both are effective. And there are plenty of consistent elements. You can't re-invent football. But training is always geared to what the coach wants to see out on the pitch. We want to play with a midfield diamond, and that's what we're practising in training.“

fcbayern.de: So you can still learn, even at the mature footballing age of 30?
Klose: "Definitely, you can always learn something new, just like in everyday life. I think you need the right attitude to training and show a willingness to learn, not just let it all wash over you.“

fcbayern.de: The coach is a real stickler for detail, there's a lot of study and analysis. Is that positive?
Klose: "Definitely. It's always a bit different when you have something explained to you, and then you see it analysed with your own eyes. It's easier to learn or appreciate. I think it's very important.“