FC Bayern München opened the past five seasons with five wins. This time, Germany's record-holding champions had to make do with a draw.
No need for sackcloth and ashes, says Uli Hoeneß. Bayern's manager talks about the draw against Hamburger SV and how they're missing key players like Franck Ribery and Luca Toni.
Question: Herr Hoeneß, a 2:2 result to open the season. How do you view that?
Uli Hoeneß: I watched an excellent football feast with exciting moments and played at a fast pace. It's a pity we couldn't hold on to our lead. I'm disappointed, but not angry
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Question: Were you expecting more after you went 2:0 in the lead?
Hoeneß: Obviously, if you only take one point from your first game, you're not going to be overjoyed. We gave away our well deserved 2:0 lead.
Question: How did you see the two incidents that led to the penalties?
Hoeneß: I thought it was quite right for the referee to award the penalties. I'm strongly in favour of giving penalties when there's holding or pulling in the box. We'll finally get to see headed goals again if we stop players tugging at each other in the penalty area.
Question: After letting in three goals in Erfurt, two more conceded against HSV. How do your judge your defensive performance?
Hoeneß: It's not my job to comment on that. That's up to the coach.
Question: It wasn't just Martin Demichelis whose absence was felt. You were missing Franck Ribery and Luca Toni, too.
Hoeneß: If after one game without Toni, Ribery, Altintop and Demichelis we concluded that we didn't need them, then we would have bought too dear. Long-term, these players are irreplaceable.
Question: Some of them will be out for several weeks. You've got till 31. August to go into the transfer market. Are you going to go out and snap someone up?
Hoeneß: Snap someone up? That's not something you should do. So we won't. It would be crazy to spend millions for the sake of one, two or three weeks.
Interview by Michael Gerhäußer
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