Heynckes still confident despite Basel loss

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes says he is still confident of making the Champions League quarter-finals after his side’s 1-0 loss to Basel.

A Valentin Stocker goal with five minutes remaining was enough to give Basel the honours in the round-of-16 first-leg tie at St Jakob-Park, but Heynckes insists his team will respond in the second leg in Munich on March 13.

“It’s an uncomfortable situation, but I have been in these situations before in my coaching career,” Heynckes said.

“It was a balanced match with good chances for either side. We lost 1-0 and now we’re not in an ideal position ahead of the second leg. In the build-up to their goal, we didn’t attack aggressively enough.”

“We are making a lot of mistakes. The alarm bells are ringing, though we have a second leg and can still correct this result. It is certainly possible to beat Basel 2-0 at home.”

“At the beginning of the game we had two huge chances and should have taken the lead. In these matches you need to make the most of your chances.”

Basel coach Heiko Vogel was delighted with the result and said his team will take a lot of confidence into the second leg.

“At the break I told the lads that we needed to make more of our possession,” Vogel said.

“Now we are in a great position ahead of the second leg. My team have unbelievable willpower, a good sense of who they are and a healthy self-confidence.”

“We’re aware that this is only a partial success.”

“However, we have a perfect harmony. Everyday we enjoy the work we do and that will pay off at some point.”

“This victory is one thing; the overall result another. But we are capable of scoring away goals and if we do that in Munich it will be very difficult for Bayern.”