First his return to FC Bayern, then his return to the Bundesliga. Now Jupp Heynckes re-enters the European stage. 1,607 days after victory in the 2013 final, the FCB head coach returns to the Champions League on Wednesday evening (20:45 CEST kick-off, live on Ticker and Webradio). “I’ve not looked back or watched the games again,” said the 72 year-old on the eve of the duel with Celtic at the Allianz Arena. “Of course it’s a competition that has a special sparkle and meaning. The club has big ambitions in it, as do the players and I,” he commented.
They can underline that ambition with a win against the Scottish champions, especially after the defeat in Paris three weeks ago. “We want to bounce back with a win,” stressed Jérôme Boateng. "As a team we’re aware of the task at hand and we’re very determined to get a good result tomorrow. It’s an important game.”
Not to be underestimated
Important and “difficult”, as Thiago highlighted. “Celtic are a typical British team,” he commented. Heynckes is preparing his players for “very powerful and aggressive” opponents. “They’re a very competitive team, so we need to be prepared for that.” Boateng talked of a “good side, who can break very quickly and have very fast players. But we want to be on the front foot and score quickly if we can.”
Heynckes has warned his side not to underestimate the Bhoys, who are unbeaten in 56 domestic games. “Celtic have won the league six years in a row and last season they drew with Mönchengladbach and Manchester City in the group stage. They have a very good coach,” said the FCB boss, who is demanding that his side build on their 5-0 win against Freiburg last Saturday and even move up a level. “It would be nice if we improved in one or two areas.”
Martínez out, Vidal back
Heynckes will have to make at least one change from the side that started on Saturday as Javi Martínez has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. “It’s a shame he’s not available but we have a good squad and we can offset it,” said the two-time Champions League winner. Sebastian Rudy, Corentin Tolisso and Arturo Vidal, who is back in the squad after recovering from a muscular problem, are all options. Heynckes confirmed that he would decide on his line-up on Wednesday, but already he senses that “the players are fired up.”
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