Jürgen Klinsmann [The Coach]

[Munchen Minded]

Its crazy how Shalke had let coach Rangnick go a while back! He is doing miracles for Hoffenheim. One thing though. First, a coach of his calibre usually gets snapped up by top teams that have a coach who isn't delivering, so usually by Winter break or by the Summer, we will see him move to a bigger club -- as bigger clubs offer more money. Then we will see Hoffenheim stripped of its best players. Next thing you know, they wind up like Kaiserslautern and go down. But it is amazing what they are doing. They are doing better than what even Karlsruhe did last season.

[RunX]

"The reaction a coach wants to see"

Jürgen Klinsmann spent Saturday afternoon on his feet, following the progress of his charges from the touchline. On this occasion, there was not all-too-much need for fevered gesticulations, with FC Bayern in the dominant mode of form they have shown only in glimpses so far this season.

The 3-1 victory propelled Bayern into the top three in the table and after the game Klinsmann discussed in interview the result, the tactics employed, and his side's league standing.


Question: Herr Klinsmann, what's your own take on the match?

Jürgen Klinsmann: It was, as we had expected, a game against a very defensive, very compact Bielefeld side. We knew we would have to patient, and made life difficult for ourselves by giving away a penalty. But we kept applying the pressure and got ourselves back in front. The ball had to go in sooner or later. The team showed great spirit and we could have easily run out 6-1 or 8-1 winners.

Question: You only brought Lukas Podolski on at half time, switching at that point from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2 system. Why did you start with just one up front?

Klinsmann: We wanted to see how it would work. It's an interesting variation. We don't want to make it too easy for our opponents to work out how we're going to play. We showed in the first half that we can create a lot of opportunities with three attacking midfielders. And it also helped to get Lukas Podolski back in the groove.

Question: Were you satisfied with Podolski's performance?

Klinsmann: He reacted in a very professional manner; he showed the kind of reaction a coach wants to see. His commitment and reading of the game were absolutely fine.

Question: Was he earmarked to be the penalty taker? Before the penalty there was a short conversation with Franck Ribery, who looked like he'd gladly have relieved him of the duty...

Klinsmann: Things like that are sorted out on the pitch. But Lukas is the best penalty taker we have. The goal was very important for him.

Question: How do you view the standings now?

Klinsmann: We want to maintain our upward trend, for sure. We're up one place to third now. And we'll manage to reel in the two still in front of us.

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