Boost for morale, confidence and belief

The countdown has started: just under 100 hours separated the final whistle in Bremen on Saturday and the biggest match of the season so far, Wednesday evening's Champions League semi-final return away to Real Madrid. “We'll travel to Madrid with morale and confidence high, and face this huge challenge," said Jupp Heynckes following Bayern's 2–1 victory over Werder. The victory was achieved despite the looming clash in the Spanish capital, despite extensive squad rotation, and despite the situation in the standings. “As FC Bayern, we have a duty to give everything and show our quality even in a match like this. The team has gone out and done just that. I'm very satisfied with our commitment and attitude. We deserved the win," commented Heynckes, who agreed he had “thoroughly changed things around" for his team's 13th match in the space of six weeks. The FCB coach made eight changes to his line-up compared to the team that beat Madrid four days earlier, resting a host of his regular players. “We've never played with that team before. Overall, we gave a very good account of ourselves, and it was nice to win it at the end as well," commented Thomas Müller, “you could see we wanted it. Every one of us out there on the pitch put in the effort." Effort and hard work was necessary too, against an eager Bremen side who opened the scoring through Naldo after a 51st minute corner. However, the visitors had been the better of the teams throughout and could (and probably should, said Heynckes) have taken a first half lead, Nils Petersen hitting the crossbar with the best of a string of chances. The introduction of Franck Ribéry, Toni Kroos and Mario Gomez on or about the hour ultimately provided FCB with the quality to win. The irrepressible Ribéry set up the equaliser, the unlucky Naldo turning the Frenchman's cross over his own line with a quarter of an hour to play, before Franck himself struck a classy winner in the last minute, high-fiving Arjen Robben in the dugout by way of celebration. “That scene speaks for itself," said Heynckes, highlighting a symbol of dressing room unity. “It was an important, morale-boosting win." The three points also mean Bayern are certain to finish the campaign in second place. The only focus now is the Champions League. “We go to Madrid full of confidence," said Müller, “we know what we're capable of. But we also know we'll have to invest a huge amount if we're to stand our ground there." Heynckes spoke of a “difficult task, but despite that, my team showed in the first match that we're on a par with them. We go there full of confidence and belief. I'm optimistic, and so are my players." Let the countdown continue!