Munich – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has spoken about his opponents, Hansi Flick and Philippe Coutinho, before the Champions League round of sixteen. He criticized the latter.
FC Bayern Munich will start into the knockout round of the Champions League on Tuesday evening at FC Chelsea.
It is the first encounter since the traumatic “Final dahoam” in 2012, “I still have that in mind,” admitted CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge before leaving for London.
To ensure that the duel with the Blues Mo has a different outcome this time, a good starting position is to be created in the first leg. “Last year it was crucial that we did not achieve an optimal result in Liverpool with a 0-0 draw,” Rummenigge said. “Scoring a goal is always helpful and it would be nice not to lose.”
Rummenigge doesn’t understand Coutinho
He sees Chelsea as an “interesting team” that has a coach in Frank Lampard, “who hasn’t been in business for very long”. The same applies to the position of head coach for Bayern coach Hansi Flick, who Rummenigge praised highly before the round of sixteen.
“He did it very well. Since November we have had a very successful time,” enthused the 64-year-old, who at the same time emphasised the importance of the premier class: “Of course we have great international ambitions. Last year there was a lot of disappointment after the elimination in the last sixteen. We will try to keep going. Our goal is to reach the quarter-finals, then we’ll see. The coach will come up with some tactics, we’re well prepared.”
In order to achieve his ambitious goals, Rummenigge is hoping for the Philippe Coutinho factor, which has so far barely taken effect. Rummenigge cannot understand the Brazilian’s changeable performance. “He has played some games well, sometimes he gives the impression that he is inhibited. I don’t know why,” said the Bayern boss.
Nevertheless, the players and managers on Säbener Strasse believe in the 27-year-old. “Everyone tries to support him and help him,” Rummenigge explained. “We have to hope that in the decisive weeks he will become an important factor in helping us win the title.”