Heynckes: Bayern coping well with pressure

Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes has praised his players’ capacity to overcome external pressure ahead of their clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern received plenty of criticism in the German media after their 1-0 first-leg loss to Swiss club Basel in the Champions League last week but bounced back to beat Schalke 2-0 on Sunday.

Heynckes was impressed with how his team dealt with the scrutiny.

“Every player who plays at Bayern Munich knows that Bayern Munich is a particularly special club,” Heynckes said.

“Whenever we lose then it is latched onto almost immediately by the media to the world, regardless of whether it’s a friendly or losing the away game of a Champions League tie 1-0.”

“Whenever that happens people are jumping over another to report on the latest ‘crisis’ at Bayern.”

“It’s something though that the players have to deal with here, but I think they cope with it well.”

The 66-year-old will lead Bayern against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday, the club he managed prior to taking over at the Bavarian giants.

Leverkusen, who are fifth in the Bundesliga, need a victory to keep the pressure on fourth-placed Schalke in the race for a Champions League qualifying spot.

Leverkusen’s head coach Robin Dutt has been impressed by his side’s form in their current five-game unbeaten streak and believes they need to focus on their own game rather than worry about Bayern on Saturday.

“A win against Bayern at home would be something very special, but we need to concentrate on what can happen rather than just the principle, we need to make it possible for ourselves,” Dutt said.

“I look around the team and I’m very happy with its development.”

“The team are growing together in stature and are showing a very positive attitude.”

“It’s great to see the players once again becoming more creative and innovative in their approach.”