Bayern has a few “sissies” says coach van Gaal

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal has admitted his side contains a few ‘cissies’ in their ranks as the German giants bid to win the treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles.

Bayern shocked Manchester United to reach the Champions League’s semi-finals a fortnight ago and now take on Lyon at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Wednesday in the first leg of Europe’s most lucrative domestic competition.

They host Hanover in the Bundesliga on Saturday evening, but van Gaal, who is in his first season in charge, says his side has a few weak links as they prepare for three weeks which will decide what silverware they earn.

“I hope the desire is stronger than the exhaustion, but the body is not as strong as the spirit,” said van Gaal, with his side facing Werder Bremen at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on May 15 in the German Cup final.

“And we have a few sissies here,” he added without naming players.

Bayern lead the Bundesliga with four games to go, are through to the German Cup final, and are bidding for a place in the Champions League final on May 22.

“We’re in a great position,” said Dutch winger Arjen Robben.

“We’ve had three outstanding weeks, but we?d better stay on our guard, because we?ve won nothing yet.”

Van Gaal gave his side a rare two-day break at the start of last week, but says his side face several weeks of pressure if they are to win all three trophies.

“Expectations are running too high,” warned the coach.

“What we’ve achieved so far is unbelievable, but we?re not the best team in Europe. We want to be, but we?re not yet.”

Both 21-year-old defender Holger Badstuber and Thomas Mueller, 20, have both impressed during their first season in the Bayern first-team, but are showing signs of fatigue having played their way into contention for World Cup places.

Badstuber is expected to be rested for Saturday’s Bundesliga game against Hanover with Diego Contento, 20, set to deputise.