Van Gaal: “We need to win”

Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal demands a win from his players. Bayern faces Bordeaux tonight at the Allianz Arena and anything but victory would mean a serious blow to the German side’s chances on advancing to the next round.

“Clubs like Bayern have to win every game,” said Van Gaal on Bayern’s official website. “It doesn’t always work out that way, but tomorrow, we really do have to win. We want to make it to the next round.” After three matches, ‘Der Rekordmeister’ lie third in the table with four points. Bordeaux lead on seven with Juventus following with five points. Maccabi Haifa lost al their three matches and appear out of the running for the two top places.

After Saturday’s goalless draw with VFB Stuttgart, general manager Uli Hoeness confessed he was “a little nervous”. “There can be no excuses: we have to win on Tuesday.”

Bayern captain Mark van Bommel experiences some tension ahead of tonight’s crucial match. “Pressure is all a part of it. That’s why you love playing in the Champions League. But it evaporates the moment the ref starts the game.”

Van Gaal is forced to make a minimum of two changes to the line-up of the last meeting, as Daniel van Buyten and Thomas Muller are suspended. Despite the loss of two in-form players, Van Gaal remains optimistic.

“Our players are good enough to win. And I believe we can do it. Our fate is in our own hands.”