Heynckes applauds "magical" Bayern
Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes is delighted with his team's memorable penalty shoot-out victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final.
Playing away at the Santiago Bernabeu for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Real Madrid, the players of Bayern Munich were the ones who held their nerve in a dreaded penalty shoot-out, booking a glorious ticket to the Champions League final in the Allianz Arena.
Bayern president Uli Hoeness declared the game to be unlike any semi-final he has ever had the pleasure of playing in or watching.
"When Lahm missed, I thought I was going to die. It's turned out to be a fantastic season after all. I've never seen so many clear-cut chances in a semi-final before, unbelievable. This was the game to end all games." he shared with the club's official website.
Los Blancos had started the game brightly, erasing their first leg deficit with a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. Heynckes was relieved that his team managed to pick themselves up after losing their advantage.
"That was a magical night. We were in real trouble in the first 15 minutes, but after that we played outstanding football for long periods. I'm specially delighted for my players and the club management." the manager said.
The shoot-out hero for the Bavarian side was Bastian Schweinsteiger, when he rose to the challenge and slotted him the winning penalty against Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas. The German international is elated with his team's progress in the competition and he knows there is only one more hurdle standing in their way.
"We're all dead, but overjoyed. Ever since it was announced that the final would be in Munich, with all had only one target: to get there!" Schweinsteiger shared.
"Now we have one more match at home, and we want to win it. The only thing going through my head was putting the ball in the net."
Bayern Munich return to domestic action this Saturday with a Bundesliga fixture against Stuttgart.