The scene: the banqueting suite at the Westin Excelsior Florence, the time way past midnight, and Uli Hoeneß enjoying a late night cigar. Bayern had not lost for 18 matches in his time as president of the club, but Hoeneß’ first defeat in office was no great cause for dismay. Despite a 3-2 reverse away to Fiorentina, Bayern progressed to the Champions League quarter-finals on away goals, and are still in the hunt for three trophies.
“I reckon Bayern Munich can live with that defeat,” said chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in the introduction to his speech at the post-match banquet. Together with the club’s partners and sponsors, the players, coaches and officials wound down from a “pulsating game with boiling emotions” over a supper of carpaccio, grilled tuna, roast beef, and a glass of Tuscan red wine.
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