Bayern Munich boss Karl-Heinz Rummenigge yesterday called for calm despite the German giants’ back-to-back home defeats which have effectively dumped them from both the league and cup.
Bayern were knocked out of the German Cup after a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Schalke at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Wednesday, four days after they lost 3-1 at home to league leaders Borussia Dortmund.
Having done the league and cup double last season, Bayern are now out of the cup and 16 points behind Dortmund in the league with 10 games left to play and face third-placed Hanover tomorrow.
“Especially in the wake of a defeat like this, we’re well advised to stay calm,” said Rummenigge.
“We have an important fixture on Saturday. We’re playing the team who are ahead of us by a place and two points, so criticism won’t help.”
Defeat at Hanover is not a scenario director of sport Christian Nerlinger is willing to consider. “What should happen then? Should I throw out the players, the coach or the director of sport?” he mused. “We aren’t interested in such scenarios, I assume we will win in Hanover.”
Although Nerlinger says coach Louis van Gaal’s position is not up for discussion, the Dutchman himself is all too aware of reality as signs demanding ‘Van Gaal out!’ could be seen at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
“I know that questions are asked when you lose two important games, that is always the case,” said Van Gaal. “I will just get on with my job, do as well as I can and let the board of directors decide.”
Bayern host Inter in the second leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on March 15 and hold a 1-0 lead from the first match in Italy.
But Rummenigge says it is pointless to focus on trying to win European football’s top prize at the expense of their league campaign.
“I think we shouldn’t start dreaming, saying to ourselves: ‘Now we’ll have to win the Champions League’,” he said.
“We’ve had the first leg of the Round of 16, nothing more. I can tell you now that the return at home to Inter will be very tough, but that’s still a long way off.”