‘We’re hard to play, and even harder to beat’

19.03.2008 Felix Magath, who led Bayern to DFB German Cup triumph at the Berlin Olympic stadium in 2005 and 2006, is just one game away from returning to the capital, this time with his current team VfL Wolfsburg. However, none other than Magath’s former club bar the Wolves’ path to Berlin. Interviewed for the Bayern-Magazin matchday programme, the VfL coach pondered his return to the Allianz Arena and revealed how his feels his team could upset the favourites. Interview: Felix Magath Question: Felix Magath, you’re back at the Allianz Arena for the second time this term. The first reunion wasn’t an especially happy one, was it? Felix Magath: “I saw a number of familiar faces at the Allianz Arena back in November, people who helped make my time at Bayern happy and successful. So I’m not just thinking of our 2-1 defeat, which was very tight in every sense of the word.“ Question: Bayern have lost two matches in a row, but your team is the best in the Bundesliga this calendar year and won 1-0 in Bremen at the weekend. What’s your take on the pre-match situation? Magath: “We needn’t fool ourselves into thinking Bayern will underestimate us. Obviously we’re rank outsiders on Wednesday. Anything less than a place in the final would be a disaster for Bayern. We’ll have to play as well as we did in Bremen. Our central defence was well organised and structured. We were difficult to play, and even more difficult to beat.“ Question: How will you counter the threat from Franck Ribéry? Magath: “They have plenty of players capable of deciding a match. Bayern have better than average players in every position. We can’t focus all our efforts on one man. Obviously, Ribéry is exceptional, but we should basically be looking at ourselves.“ Question: You won the trophy twice with Bayern. Have you been telling your players about Berlin? Magath: “The final at the Berlin Olympic stadium is very special, and the players know that. One or two of my players have experienced Cup finals in their home countries. I’m sure my players are up for it without any help from me!“ Question: Do you need to motivate your players especially for this match? Magath: “You don’t need anything special before a semi-final. Everyone knows you make it to the final, or you’re out. There’s no playing for a draw. In any case, professional footballers should have self-motivation to spare before every match.“ Question: A Cup triumph would be the greatest success in VfL history. Are the fans dreaming of glory? Magath: “Despite an unbroken decade in the Bundesliga, Wolfsburg is not a club accustomed to success. Part of taking the club forward will be learning to expect victory in crucial matches more than we do now.“ Question: VfL are in contention for a UEFA Cup place. Which would you prefer: the Cup final or fifth in the league? Magath: “We’ve actually set ourselves different targets. This season, the priority always was to keep VfL well clear of the relegation zone, and we’ve succeeded so far! In years to come, we aim to climb the Bundesliga and start competing for a place in Europe.“ Question: When will we see Wolfsburg in the Champions League? Magath: “I’ve set myself three years to establish VfL in the top third of the table and therefore in the hunt for a European place. Once we’ve managed that, we’ll se what the future looks like for VfL Wolfsburg.“