Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes feels his side must maintain a confident attitude ahead of the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.
Bayern go into their meeting with Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund as favourites after beating them to the German crown by a 25-point margin and hammering Barcelona 7-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
Heynckes believes the positivity in his squad was key to their performance against the Spanish giants, and stressed they must channel the same mentality if they are to clinch the club’s fifth European title.
“I’ve always tried to think positively – I know what my team can achieve. I said that before Juventus, and before Barcelona when we weren’t the favourites,” he said.
“I’ve always thought we could win this competition. We have an extraordinary team and they play as a unit. If we can draw on that tomorrow, we’re going to win the match.”
Bayern lost to Chelsea on penalties in last year’s final at their home ground, the Allianz Arena, but Heynckes insists his side have not focused on spot-kicks ahead of this season’s encounter.
“We’ve been able to work on things but penalties can’t be simulated. In the contest, under that tremendous pressure, it’s a completely different situation to training,” he added.
The 68-year-old is excited to be able to manage in his last game at Wembley and thinks the prospect of playing at the famous stadium will act as fuel for his players.
He explained: “Wembley is a place with tradition in English, European and international football – and that’s a particular incentive to players to be in such a venerable location for a Champions League final. I think the atmosphere is going to be unique.”
Club captain Philipp Lahm echoed Heynckes’ thoughts on Wembley but asserted their focus will be entirely on securing victory.
Lahm said: “There’s a great tradition at Wembley and that’s fantastic but what we want is the title – it doesn’t matter where we win it.
“Over the last few years Barcelona have been the team to beat – they won the Champions League again and again and that was the team we knew we had to beat this year.
“We’ve really developed, in defence and also in attack, and we showed that against Barcelona. I don’t know if we can take the torch away from them but it’s our third Champions League final and we want to take the cup back to Munich.
“I see a very positive future; the team is great, we are the right age and we work together very well. Things look good.”
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