Uli Hoeness squashes talk of crisis mode at Bayern Munich

Uli Hoeness is not interested in talking about about a crisis at Bayern Munich right now, even after yet another poor result, this time in the form of a frustrating 2-2 draw at Augsburg. The same talk of a “crisis” happened around this time last year, and we all know how Bayern finished the season winning.

Over the weekend, after Bayern’s draw with Augsburg, Fortuna Düsseldorf manager Friedhelm Funkel made a point of highlighting the amount of goals Bayern has already conceded in the Bundesliga this season as a real point of concern for them (Sport1):

Things are definitely off with them in the last two years. They have already conceded ten goals. At the time when Jupp Heynckes was coach, Bayern conceded 17 goals — but all season. Therefore I told my boys about Bayern in 2013: why were they so successful this season and won three titles? Because Ribery and Robben helped out at the back.

Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images

Hoeness responded with annoyance to questions about a potential crisis at Bayern. He told the press his only concern is Bayern’s recent difficulty converting chances (Bild),

Do you want to talk us into a crisis? With the exception of converting goals, I’m satisfied with everything. I also don’t see all this drama in the Bundesliga that is being made again. We’re not playing badly, but we’re also not playing consistently enough. We always have a crazy number of chances — and don’t put them away. The team simply has to concentrate more on scoring goals. I won’t start worrying when we don’t have chances.

With the right personnel, Hoeness continued, Bayern’s problem of conceding so many goals will certainly be alleviated. Javi Martinez as a defensive midfielder, he feels, will greatly benefit their defensive issues:

And this problem with conceding goals will take care of itself. If Martinez then plays on the 6 now, we’ll also concede fewer goals. He played very well there on Saturday. And last year at Christmas, when he came in, we won all our games, too.

Photo by Stefan Puchner/picture alliance via Getty Images

Niko Kovac was asked in turn at today’s press conference about Bayern’s defense and Hoeness’ remark about Martinez. He said (Bild),

I line up the team, but I also often talk with Uli Hoeness. Javi did very well in Augsburg, but we also conceded two goals there. We have to work together at the back as a whole team just as hard as we work *[up front]. We have to rectify that.

*Bild current reads: “...at the back as a whole team as just as hard as we work at the back.” I presume this is a typo.