Three cheers for Thomas Müller, Arjen Robben and Pep Guardiola. The reception at the post-match banquet in Madrid provided a boost for Bayern on the Iberian peninsula. Friends, family, VIP guests and sponsors greeted each and every player, plus the head coach, with a round of applause. That was in spite of a 1-0 defeat in the Champions League semi-final first leg - a result that has roused Bayern’s determination to get the right result in next Tuesday’s return match at the Allianz Arena.
“Obviously, the 1-0 defeat isn’t the result we wanted but I’m a very long way from saying we’re not in a position to put it right,” declared Karl-Heinz Rummenigge when he rose to speak at a minute after midnight. His speech at the banquet was directed straight at the players: “Don’t be down-hearted lads! Defeats are never good, and we shouldn’t play it down. But a defeat is always as valuable as the way you react - and you’ll show the right reaction next Tuesday.”
