By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 19 (Xinhua) -- Although dreams of winning the Champions League trophy are growing in his squad, Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes is fighting against the obstacles of daily life in the German winter. In advance of the 2017 German Champions last-16-round duel in the Champions League against Besiktas Istanbul this Tuesday evening, there seem to be no limits for the Bavarians, who have won 13 games in this series, except the 72-year-old's terrible cold.
The former striker admits to being prone to getting colds after he had to stay in bed and skip several training sessions. Now he is back, but constant coughing still accompanies his statements.
Despite his illness, Heynckes is in a good mood as things couldn't be going better for Bayern in advance of the crucial knock-out phase of the Champions League. His team is comfortable with a 19-point-lead in the Bundesliga and seems ready for international challenges. Heynckes said everyone is aware that the time has come when decisions about titles are made.
Key performers such as James Rodriguez, Thomas Mueller, and Robert Lewandowski are starting to talk about the team's ambitions to win the 2017/2018 Champions League title, despite the presence of teams such as Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris St. Germain and FC Barcelona, who are said to be big favorites.
"Why shouldn't we be the one to do it? We have the necessary quality. Yes, we can win all three titles," says James.
Mueller is praising the coach's success saying that "he got every one foot behind the line. We experience a flow which is the merit of our coach's effort. The team is gaining self- confidence."
Mueller also said his side is the favorite against Besiktas. "We are ready to face all of the challenges. Yes, you can call us insatiable," the 28-year-old commented. Mueller said it is a vital point for the team spirit to keep everybody in the squad in a good mood. "Our coach is doing a great job regarding that," Mueller commented adding that everyone on the squad is "hungry for titles."
For the first time in five years, all field players are available and free of injury; only goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is sidelined due to a broken foot. The team is in its best shape after Heynckes' increased the frequency of training.
Bayern star striker Robert Lewandowski says that Bayern is still a top team but one that has to prove its quality on the pitch. "It won't be a sensation if Bayern wins the Champions League," the 29-year-old Pole said adding that the side is determined to win all three titles.
While his side is on the way to equalize an old club record from 1980, having won 14 consecutive games when beating Besiktas, Heynckes does not like to talk about winning the Champions League but instead about team-spirit, relentless determination and unbreakable ambition.
The 1974 World Champion emphasized that the team with the most robust team-spirit will win this season's Champions League title. Heynckes said his team is living a "for each other" instead of "next to each other."
Fans can count on the coach's record when it comes to Champions League games. Bayern won its last nine Champions League games under Heynckes. The former striker has coached a team in the Champions League three times (1998 Real Madrid, 2012 and 2013 Bayern Munich) and three times, his team reached the final. 1998 and 2013, the former German international won what he calls the "most important competition in club football."
Heynckes also says that he is happy about the team's development after the winter break. "We are constantly improving our performance and getting into the needed rhythm," the Bayern coach commented. "You can see in every training session that the team is full of energy and ambition. Now it is our job to get the power we need on the pitch and stay concentrated, as Besiktas is a side that loves to play good football." Enditem
