The media centre at the Säbener Strasse facility is a good barometer of the mood and atmosphere at Bayern. On a normal day, it is well filled with reporters. Prior to a big Champions League evening, or if FCB are going through a rough patch, it practically bursts at the seams. On Thursday, 35 reporters and seven camera crews squeezed into the room. It wasn't a normal day.
Jupp Heynckes faced the journalists with his usual calm demeanour, coolly answering questions about the position in the Bundesliga table, problems that need ironing out, and his own future. “We need a rational analysis of the sporting situation," insisted Heynckes, “I know we can turn the corner. I believe in my team. The atmosphere in the dressing room is very good, as we'll see on Saturday and next Tuesday."
Bayern entertain Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday, and then meet FC Basel at the Allianz Arena three days later in the do-or-die Champions League Round of 16 return. Heynckes ignored certain stories coursing through the German press in recent days, and focused on football. “At the time when the media themselves were practically having me sign a contract extension, I didn't bother reading the critics, or not much at all. That's what I'm doing now," said the 66-year-old, “all the rumours flying around out there at the moment have no effect on me. It's not a burden at all."
Topics of this article