Champions League: Bayern Munich warned over complacency against Arsenal by Jupp Heynckes
The German side lead 3-1 from the first leg
Tuesday 12 March 2013
Related articles
Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes maintains his side cannot switch off against Arsenal tomorrow night - even though they already have one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
The runaway Bundesliga leaders could be forgiven for thinking the hard work had been done after delivering a European masterclass with a 3-1 win in London a fortnight ago.
However, Heynckes warned the Germans - who before last season's final defeat to Chelsea had lost just once at home in Europe to English opposition, and that back in the 1993 UEFA Cup against Norwich - cannot afford to be complacent.
"Last year Arsenal lost 4-0 (away to AC Milan), then in the second leg they won 3-0 - they could have won 4-0, they had the chances, so it shows they are a strong team and capable of making up the gap if they have to," Heynckes told a press conference this afternoon.
"I respect Arsene Wenger very much. He is a top manager and Arsenal are a fighting team.
"They will do everything to get a result here, so we must be on our guard."
Bayern forward Franck Ribery will miss tomorrow's second leg at the Allianz Arena, while midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and defender Jerome Boateng are both suspended.
Former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben, meanwhile, was not involved at the weekend against Dusseldorf because of a calf problem.
Bayern, though, have the likes of Brazilian Luiz Gustavo and Switzerland midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri ready to come in.
Captain Philipp Lahm, however, insists that strength in depth must not result in any over-confidence tomorrow.
"We know how good we are and we have a lot of confidence, but we do not expect to win everything," the German defender said.
"We must work hard and we must be focused.
"Of course Arsenal must attack, they have to play catch up, but we must also attack and cannot just hope to win."
With Arsenal facing an uphill battle to make it back into the top four of the Barclays Premier League after defeat at rivals Tottenham, tomorrow night could be their last elite European fixture for some time.
Following the best part of a decade without silverware, Wenger's position continues to come under scrutiny.
Heynckes, though, feels his good friend still has plenty to bring to the top table.
"Arsene Wenger is a very creative and a good reader of football. Arsenal has played some of the best football in England over recent years," he said.
"Maybe they haven't been as successful, but their style is very attractive.
"Arsenal has had world-class players, some have left the club and some have come in. For all managers though, to be at the top of the game you must have top players.
"This might have been a difficult thing for Wenger, but he has been one of the top managers in his career and I will be sad if he is not involved any more."
PA
Latest in Sport
Sport blogs
iBet: A tight game between Northampton and Bradford
A tight game could be in prospect here. Northampton have been keeping things very tight of late and ...
by Gareth Purnell
18 May 2013 02:01 AM
On The Road at the Giro d’Italia: Feeling ill and racing in the rain must be pretty grim
I can’t ever watch games of football or rugby without wistfully wondering what it must be like to be...
by Martin Ayres
16 May 2013 05:10 PM
PSG and the French league must be more proactive in dealing with hooliganism
Since PSG’s exit to Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League quarter-final in April, PSG have been sur...
by Matthew Riding
15 May 2013 02:37 PM
-
Tears and cheers as David Beckham ends glittering career after helping PSG to final win
-
Video: Emotional David Beckham leaves the pitch for 'the last time' with PSG
-
Tottenham face nail-biting finish as Arsenal look to secure Champions League place on final day of the Premier League season
-
Boxing: Carl Froch slams fellow Brits for sparring with Mikkel Kessler
-
Newcastle v Arsenal: Premier League match preview
- 1 Heading for America? Prepare for the longest US immigration queues ever
- 2 Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?
- 3 You thought Ryanair's attendants had it bad? Wait 'til you hear about their pilots
- 4 'Swivel-gate': David Cameron goes to war with the press over 'swivel-eyed loons' slur
- 5 It’s official: thanks to Stephen Hawking's Israel boycott, anti-Semitism is no more
Get your summer started with British Military Fitness
BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes
Visit York
Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world
Enter the latest Independent competitions
Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.
Business videos from commercial thought leaders
Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.
The price of pacifism
Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond
Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?
Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes
Gordon Ramsay's worst nightmare: A restaurant he cannot save



Comments