Heynckes salutes Bayern Munich spirit

Bayern Munich showed superb morale to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Fortuna Dusseldorf on Saturday, according to coach Jupp Heynckes.

Jerome Boateng scored the winner with his first Bundesliga goal in the 86th minute on his 130th appearance in the German top tier.

Mathis Bolly opened the scoring for the visitors before Thomas Mueller equalised on the brink of half-time, but an Andres Lambertz strike made it 2-1 to Dusseldorf, only for Franck Ribery and Boateng to turn the game around for the league leaders.

Heynckes believes the game proves why complacency must be avoided, and refused to acknowledge that the title is in Bayern’s hands despite Borussia Dortmund’s 2-1 defeat to Schalke, which leaves the Bavarians 20 points clear at the top of the table.

“Today’s game showed that we have not won games even before the kick-off,” he said.

“The team twice came back from behind and showed great morale.

“As long as we are not mathematically German champions, we will not accept congratulations.”

Bayern face Arsenal at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday night in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League clash, with a 3-1 lead from the first leg.

Heynckes earlier confirmed that Luiz Gustavo would start the match.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was shown a yellow card at the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago, resulting in a one-game suspension, leaving the 67-year-old to call upon the former Hoffenheim man as the Germany international’s replacement.

“Of course, Luiz Gustavo will play on Wednesday providing that he stays fit,” Heynckes said. “He is working great and is in top shape physically.”