When Jupp Heynckes takes to the Borussia Park touchlines for FC Bayern's match against Borussia Mönchengladbach (Live in English from 18.30 CET on our ticker and FC Bayern TV PLUS Web Radio), some people will remember 18 May 2013. Following Bayern's 4-3 victory he bade farewell from the Bundesliga at an emotional press conference, not knowing he would make history only two weeks later by winning the treble. Now, 1651 days later, Heynckes is back!
"It was a very tearful moment because my career had come to an end. But it'll surely be different this time," commented the Bayern coach, who is not expecting a particularly emotional reunion: "I always like to go to Gladbach, the Bökelberg is laden with nostalgia for me. But I'm professional about it." Back to the roots was the motto for Heynckes in the last two days as the Bavarians worked out on BV Grün-Weiß Holt's training ground, the club where the 1974 world champion learned the trade.
'Lick our wounds'
Borussia Mönchengladbach against FC Bayern: the match entails not only Heynckes' return to his old stomping ground but also another edition of a classic that is once more set to be a thrilling encounter. "The fixture has always been extremely interesting throughout Bundesliga history," said the Bayern coach. Heynckes does not expect "an easy task" against the side lying fourth in the table. "But we travel to Borussia Park with confidence, and of course we want to win the match."
The personnel situation has not improved as Arjen Robben and Thiago are sidelined with injury. But the men from Munich accept the situation. "I don't know which players will be fit on Saturday, but that doesn't matter," said Robert Lewandowski: "We have to keep our heads up and fight," concluded the striker. "We have to lick our wounds a bit," said Mats Hummels, "but we'll field a strong team." A number of players including Javi Martínez, James Rodríguez and Corentin Tolisso will definitely make the starting line-up, Heynckes announced.
Coman set to return
But the 72-year-old also passed on positive news of Kingsley Coman: "He completed the squad programme for the first time on Thursday. Kingsley said he's free pf pain." While the Frenchman is back in the squad, preparing for the match along with the team, Thomas Müller and Franck Ribéry worked out on the Säbener Strasse training ground.
Borussia Mönchengladbach's players and coaching staff are looking forward to the encounter with FC Bayern. "We have the quality and the ambition to win," commented Dieter Hecking: "If we have a good day we have a realistic chance." Hummels warned: "They have an incredibly strong and flexible attacking unit. We need a top performance to beat Gladbach."
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