Created on 21-02-2012 at 00:00 AM
There was a slight sense of déjà vu for the Bayern stars late on Tuesday morning, as the squad boarded a plane from Munich to Basel for the second time in five days. Following an uneventful 50-minute flight, the group from Bavaria landed in Switzerland, where the skies were bright blue and the air temperature was above freezing. Last Friday, the party travelled on to Freiburg, but on this occasion the FCB team bus operated a much shorter transfer, as Bayern's opponents in Wednesday's Champions League first knockout round, first leg tie are local club FC Basel.
“We all expect the team to show determination and motivation, with the goal of reaching the quarter-finals," declared chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge prior to the take-off of Lufthansa charter flight LH 2570 and its 136 passengers, made up of the players, coaching staff, officials, sponsors and a clutch of fans. Club captain Philipp Lahm called for “a committed team performance. We want to make the next round, so we have to deliver in Basel."