BERLIN: Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has admitted this week is all about mending dented confidence ahead of Saturday’s Champions League final against Chelsea, in the wake of his club’s German Cup final beating in Berlin.
Bayern were hammered 5-2 by German champions Borussia Dortmund in Saturday’s domestic cup final at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium, with Poland striker Robert Lewandowski netting a hat-trick.
Munich’s Allianz Arena will host Saturday’s Champions League final, with the Bavarian giants looking to become the first team since Inter Milan in 1965 to win European football’s top prize on home soil.
“Believe me, the whole club has this week been working on rebuilding the team’s confidence,” Hoeness told Munich-based newspaper the Sueddeutsche Zeitung.
“Before the final in Berlin, I was of the opinion that it was important we went into the Chelsea game with our heads held high.
“Now things are a bit different. For a long time, we have all been fixated on May 19. You can reach the German Cup final many times in a career here, but the Champions League final comes along maybe just once.”
As a player, 60-year-old Hoeness won three European Cup titles with Bayern from 1974 to 1976 and was the general manager when they won the 2001 Champions League title.
“This will be the high point in the history of Bayern Munich,” said Hoeness.
“When you know just how many great moments this club has had, that just about says it all.”
FA Cup winners Chelsea finished the Premier League season sixth, but Hoeness says the Blues are a dangerous side.
“Chelsea are a team with their backs against the wall, because of their up-and-down season in the league,” he added.
“If they lose the final, they will not be in the Champions League next season and we all know what that means for a team like Chelsea.
“Anyone who thinks we have already won this match is certainly wrong.”
Roberto Di Matteo is bracing for the toughest managerial challenge of his career as he attempts to lead an injury and suspension-hit Chelsea to Champions League glory over Bayern Munich.
Just 10 weeks after taking over at Stamford Bridge following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, Di Matteo has already overseen a string of notable performances including an unforgettable semi-final win over Barcelona.
But the Italian believes that orchestrating a win over Bayern on their home ground on Saturday would represent his greatest triumph as he attempts to pull together a Chelsea side decimated by injuries and suspensions.
Chelsea will be without suspended captain John Terry and fullback Branislav Ivanovic as well as inspirational midfielder Ramires and Raul Meireles.
Di Matteo is also sweating on the fitness of defenders Gary Cahill and David Luiz along with midfielder Florent Malouda.
Given the circumstances, Di Matteo agreed he faced the most challenging tactical assignment of his career.
“With all the problems that we have it’s certainly causing me a headache,” the 41-year-old said.
Despite overseeing a rebound in Chelsea’s fortunes, which included an FA Cup victory as well as their passage to the Champions League final, Di Matteo has yet to be given any assurances about his long-term future at Chelsea.
Chelsea say no decision on a long-term successor to Villas-Boas will be taken until the season has ended, and Di Matteo insists he is happy to wait.
“I’m very relaxed about it,” Di Matteo said.
“I just have a big drive and a big motivation to do something extraordinary for this club and that’s all I want to do. And whatever comes afterwards — well, there’s always a reason for things that happen.” (Agencies)