Tired but overjoyed FCB return to Munich

The heroes of Madrid are back in Munich: the team bus arrived at the Säbener Strasse at around half past three on Thursday afternoon, where the players were greeted by some 300 fans, chanting in delight and applauding their idols. Headquarters staff unrolled a huge banner reading “We're proud of you!" And just to complete the happy scene, the sun shone from blue skies.

Jupp Heynckes sent his players home straight away, as everyone clearly needed some rest. On what Heynckes called “a magical night,” very few of the party had slept at all. “It's pure elation," said Uli Hoeneß, describing the mood in the Munich camp. The club president said he had managed four hours in bed, “and relatively speaking, that was a lot." Hoeneß praised the players who realised the club's dream of reaching the final at home: “They've stood up to this psychological burden and pressure, and they've made it despite huge obstacles."