The new partnership between FC Bayern and SAP was the centrepiece of Tuesday’s press conference deep in the bowels of the Allianz Arena. However, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge also took questions about the daily business of football: what does the chairman think the team can achieve this season? What news of Bastian Schweinsteiger? And what are Manuel Neuer and Arjen Robben’s chances in the vote for European player of the year? fcbayern.de summarises Rummenigge’s key statements.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on…
...the new season: “I’m really looking forward to Friday’s restart against VfL Wolfsburg. We go into the season as defending champions with the aim of retaining the title. It would be our 25th German championship. Our team is definitely competitive, and the coach is happy with the players he has. I’m sure we’ll have a good season.”
...Bastian Schweinsteiger’s injury: “He has a problem with his kneecap and was examined again on Monday. It’s going to take a few weeks to clear up and he won’t be fit for the internationals in early September. We’ll have to be patient but we’re confident it’s nothing long-term.”
...squad planning: “It’s not our intention to panic or get nervous. We’re in good shape, as everyone saw in the cup tie. We have lots of quality in the squad and we’re very relaxed. If we do choose to do anything it’ll depend on quality and price. We’ll monitor the situation calmly.”
...the vote for UEFA Best Player in Europe: “We’ve supplied four of the top five players in the vote with [shortlisted pair] Arjen Robben, Manuel Neuer, and Thomas Müller (4th) and Philipp Lahm (5th). We’re proud of that because it’s evidence of the quality and attractiveness in our squad. It would be great if another Bayern player won it, just like Franck Ribéry last year. Both Neuer and Robben deserve it. Both had unbelievable seasons.”
...technical aids for referees: “I’m very positive about these things. We submitted a proposal to introduce goal-line technology and we hope the vote goes our way in December. I welcome the vanishing spray at free-kicks too. And I’m in favour of video evidence so that unfair decisions can be corrected.”
...the records set last season: “We had two exceptional seasons, unlike anything that’s ever gone before. You can’t just repeat that at will. It’s not a declared target of ours to win the title by as large a margin as possible. We’re not interested in that stat. We’re interested in the title.”
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