..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal blames 'the law of Murphy' after shock Midtjylland defeat

Louis van Gaal pinned the blame on Murphy's law after watching Manchester United suffer a shock 2-1 defeat to Midtjylland in the first leg of the Europa League last-32 tie.Memphis Depay put the visitors ahead in Denmark before goals from Pione Sisto and Ebere Paul Onuachu sealed a famous victory for the home side.

United lost captain Wayne Rooney to injury before flying out for the game and were dealt another blow when goalkeeper David de Gea picked up a knee problem in the warm-up, meaning Sergio Romero was drafted into the starting line-up as a late replacement.

And, despite conceding his side delivered a poor performance at times, Van Gaal believes United are being plagued by the famous maxim that whatever can go wrong, is going wrong.

"It is the law of Murphy. When you start the game and your goalkeeper is [injury] number 14, you're not starting like usual," he said to BT Sport.

"A lot of things are happening in the heads of the players. The first 10 or 15 minutes were not so good but after that we came into the match, scored and could have scored more.

"But then it's too much. The second half, we don't win any duels, any second ball. You cannot afford a second goal, but we could have scored also - Jesse Lingard had two remarkable chances. It is the law of Murphy, I think.

"I think that, in certain phases, we were not organised. But that happens when you play with another team every week."It is always possible in football but we have the chance to beat them at home and we have to do that."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Klopp 'not 100 per cent happy' after Europa League draw

Jurgen Klopp was pleased with the goalless draw against Augsburg, but admitted he was far from happy with Liverpool's performance in the first leg of their last-32 Europa League tie.The former Borussia Dortmund coach's return to German soil proved mixed for Klopp at the WWK Arena on Thursday, with Augsburg the closest to breaking the deadlock when substitute Ji Dong-won struck a post late on.

Liverpool, who had put six past bottom club Aston Villa without reply in Premier League action on Sunday, rarely threatened to grab an away goal over the course of a largely forgettable 90 minutes.

Although the Reds became the first visiting side to stop their Bundesliga opponents scoring at home in European competition this season, Klopp still expected more from his players.

"To be realistic, the result is good in a Europa League game away from home," he told BT Sport."As for our performance, we had a few good moments and could have scored goals. But, as a complete game, I'm not satisfied.

"We fight for consistency. It's a really hard fight - it's a long way [to go]."It's the first leg, and we have the return at Anfield next week, which is good for us, but I'm not 100 per cent happy with this game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Torres: Benitez took me to a level I never dreamed of

Fernando Torres says he never dreamed of reaching the level he did under Rafael Benitez at Liverpool.Benitez signed Torres for the Premier League side for a club-record fee in the region of £20 million in 2007, plucking him from boyhood club Atletico Madrid.

The striker went on to score 81 goals in 142 appearances for Liverpool, but a series of hamstring and knee injuries led to a loss of form and he has struggled to hit those heights in subsequent spells at Chelsea and AC Milan.

Torres admits he did not believe he was capable of what he achieved under Benitez, but also thanked Diego Simeone for bringing him back to the Vicente Calderon.

"They have been very important people for me in different times. With Benitez I reached a level I perhaps never dreamed of," he told Cadena Cope."With Simeone I have had the opportunity to return to my club and relive very emotional moments, and I think the best is still to come."

After a barren spell stretching back to September, Torres scored his 100th goal for Atletico in the 3-1 win over Eibar on February 6.

Although his future at the club remains uncertain, the 31-year-old has no doubt he wants to remain."My future is to win here, at Atleti. It's something I have not done yet," added Torres.

"At the moment I have the good fortune to play where I want. I do not know until when, but I want to enjoy every game."I am aware that my performances have to be better."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger confirms blocking Manchester United move for Debuchy

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admitted on Friday that he prevented Manchester United from signing Mathieu Debuchy in the winter transfer window.

The full-back, eager to get some playing time under his belt ahead of host nation France's participation at Euro 2016, had previously stated that he was annoyed by the club's actions, though his boss insists it was an easy call to make.

“I hope that’s not surprising to you,” Wenger told a press conference. “You loan players to clubs who don’t have resources, not direct rivals.”While Debuchy eventually secured a loan move to Bordeaux, January import Mohamed Elneny is now operating at full capacity and has impressed his new boss with his work ethic.

“Elneny has a good chance to play [against Hull] Wenger added. "He is ready and is fighting for a regular place.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tuchel braced for improved Porto in second leg

Borussia Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel is expecting an improved performance from Porto in the return leg of their round of 32 Europa League tie after seeing his side claim a 2-0 advantage at the halfway point.

Lukasz Piszczek put Dortmund ahead within six minutes at Signal Iduna Park and the victory was completed by a deflected Marco Reus strike with 20 minutes to go.Porto have a mountain to climb at the Estadio do Dragao in the second leg next week, but Tuchel believes the Portuguese outfit will be stronger at home.

"I'm expecting the best Porto in front of their own fans next week," Tuchel said after Dortmund extended their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions.

"We admit very few scoring chances, have changed a few things in our balance. Today it was very important."

Tuchel praised Turkey international Nuri Sahin, who shone on his return to action after almost a year out injured."We wanted to do a preparation match for Nuri Sahin, but Nuri said he didn't need the friendly match," he added.

"Nuri was awesome, we could no longer restrain him. He has been burning for weeks to play."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba opens door to Man City move: I could work with Guardiola in the future

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has opened the door to joining Manchester City after claiming the opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola could develop.

The France international has been linked with a host of European sides over the last two years, with Barcelona reportedly the favourites to sign the former Manchester United man.

But Pogba has talked up Guardiola's ability - with the Bayern Munich boss set to take over at the Etihad Stadium this summer - and would not rule out playing under him in the future.

"Guardiola has great experience and an immense philosophy of football," he told Sky Sports Deutschland.

"He is a coach who influences the squad and all the players respect him. You can only admire and try to learn something from him.

"He is an icon of football and I’ve heard he manages to improve every player he has at his disposal.

"I am a Juventus player now, but clearly the possibility of working with him in future could develop."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hiddink reveals showdown talks with struggling Hazard

Chelsea have spoken to Eden Hazard about his need to rediscover his form after a poor season, Guus Hiddink has revealed.

After lighting up the Premier League in 2014-15, being named Player of the Year for his part in the Blues' title triumph, the Belgium international has scored only one goal for the club this time around.

"He was in a difficult situation but he has to step up," Hiddink told reporters. "He knows that from our talks with him."

Hazard has been linked with an exit from Stamford Bridge in the summer and has expressed an interest in working with Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane but the Chelsea boss is adamant that there is "no sign [that] he's eager to go".

"I had very short conversations with him about the situation," Hiddink continued. "He is very keen to be here."

Manchester City are next up for Chelsea on Sunday as they face off in the FA Cup and, though confirming that captain John Terry will not yet be fit to return to the side, the Dutchman has no plans to rest key players against Manuel Pellegrini's men, who have lost their last two games.

"We take a very serious approach to the FA Cup," he remarked. "They were a bit unlucky in the last games but a big team always reacts. We are warned."

January loan signing Alexandre Pato could potentially be in line for his first appearance as he works to reach match fitness.

Hiddink explained: "He is now in third week of pre-season, getting fitter and fitter. We'll see results of tests when he can play."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: Welbeck stronger after injury woe

Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal forward Danny Welbeck has become "a stronger man" due to his lengthy injury lay-off.

Welbeck made his first appearance of the season from the bench against Premier League leaders Leicester City last Sunday and marked the occasion with a dramatic last-gasp winner.

Having endured 10 months on the sidelines following knee surgery, Wenger believes the former Manchester United man has his best years ahead of him
"I believe it's always a good observation of character and the resilience of a person when they are injured for such a long time," Wenger told a news conference ahead of the holders' FA Cup fifth-round tie against Hull City.

"You look at how he resists the stress of not being able to play, how much he can respond with the effort he puts into his rehab, and how focused he can be every day when he goes step by step slowly.

"As well, in Danny's case he had a few setbacks. I think he has become a stronger man."[He can become] A lot better because he is at the right age for players - 25 years old.

"He already has experience, physically he is back to his best so I believe the best is to come from him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Mourinho? We already have Mancini' - Inter president Thohir

Inter president Erick Thohir has moved to quash rumours that Jose Mourinho is in talks to take over at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

Mourinho has been linked with a return to the Nerazzurri in recent weeks, though the Portuguese also remains favourite to succeed Louis van Gaal at Manchester United.

Nevertheless, Thohir has poured cold water on the reports and insisted Roberto Mancini is capable of fulfilling the club's objectives.

“I met Mourinho in Jakarta a few years ago before I was Inter president,” Thohir told Sky.

“He’s a great coach, he made history with Inter, but we have Mancini now who also wrote history with this club, achieving excellent results. I firmly believe he can revive the team.“Look what’s already changed compared to Inter last year, though of course we need more time. That said, that shouldn’t be an excuse.

Despite a bright start to their Serie A campaign, Inter have hit a rocky patch of late, with the most recent loss - a 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina - prompting the club to send the players away on a training camp.

“[It] was a decision made by Mancini, together with our directors," Thohir added. "I think it’s a good thing, though it’s not very common in other countries.“It’s good for the players to have the opportunity to stay together for three or four days, calmly, to foster team spirit.

“We have to win tomorrow [against Sampdoria]. We have a good team and our coach is the best for us. I think we have a competitive squad and we also strengthened in the January transfer window.“We still have 13 games to play, the team must stay calm and fight for our goals.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ibrahimovic future to be confirmed imminently - Blanc

Laurent Blanc expects an announcement on Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Paris Saint-Germain future to be made imminently.

Ibrahimovic joined PSG in 2012 and has helped the club to three straight Ligue 1 titles, two Coupe de la Ligue triumphs and one Coupe de France as Blanc's side completed the domestic treble last season.

In the process, the 34-year-old Swede has become the highest goalscorer in the club's history with 134 strikes - the latest of which came in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Ibrahimovic's contract at the Parc des Princes expires at the end of the season, with reports linking the striker with a return to AC Milan, a move to MLS or the Premier League, and Blanc anticipates an imminent announcement from both the club and player in regards to his future.

"We do not know his will, it's still an important factor," Blanc told reporters. "But in no time, you will be aware of his decision and that of the club."Zlatan and PSG were very good against Chelsea. He is in form and not far from his best physical shape."

Edinson Cavani scored the winner against Chelsea, but Blanc suggested he will have to do more to earn a place in the starting line-up.

"Every time someone scores, they score points but obviously the thinking is more comprehensive than that," he added."It is a very important goal. It'll do Edi a world of good, because it brings competition between him and Lucas [Moura].

"It will push everyone to be very good. Edi is in a difficult period but everyone trusts him. This goal can comfort him and give the assurance that he can again be the striker he has never ceased to be."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Mancini the right man for Inter' - Mourinho rules out San Siro return

Jose Mourinho stated he will attend Inter's match against Sampdoria on Saturday but insists he has no designs on Roberto Mancini's job in the San Siro dugout.

Mourinho has been linked to a host of high-profile jobs since his second tenure at Chelsea ended prematurely last December, while Inter – who he guided to back-to-back Serie A titles and Champions League glory in 2010 - have seen their ambitions of claiming the Scudetto fade during the new year.Inter owner Erick Thohir said earlier on Friday that the slump did not put current boss Roberto Mancini's job in jeopardy and Mourinho says his presence in Milan is in relation to a dinner date with Thohir's predecessor Massimo Moratti.

"I'll be in Milan for one day – I am grateful to my president Massimo Moratti, who I want to personally thank," he said in a statement to La Stampa.

"I left Inter in 2010 and since then I have worked hard at Real Madrid and Chelsea, so it has been hard to find the time to have lunch with the Moratti family. We agreed to see each other a couple of weeks ago.

"After being together for lunch we will go to San Siro, bringing with us the spirit of Inter, with the hope and happiness to see Inter win. It will be very emotional for me – San Siro, the Inter fans.

"But one thing I want to clarify, I will not be in charge next season. Inter have a project and that is Erick Thohir and Roberto Mancini. "Their ideas have my full support and my hope is that the project of the coach and the president continues with great success."

On his own future, Mourinho said recent weeks have been a case of clubs approaching him rather than the other way around, amid speculation touting him as a replacement for under-fire Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal.

"My next club? I really don't know," he explained. "One thing is certain; I love football and I will return on the fields with the same passion and ambition as always.

"Right now I have respect for every coach and every club. I'm not looking for a club; it is the clubs who seek me."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bologna 0-0 Juventus: Plucky minnows halt champions' winning run

Juventus were unable to break down Bologna's resistance on Friday night, failing to extend their lead at the top of Serie A after only managing a 0-0 draw.

The Bianconeri were chasing their 16th consecutive victory but found themselves evenly matched by the hosts as Massimiliano Allegri's decision to rest Paulo Dybala from the starting XI proved costly.

Early chances fell the way of Roberto Donadoni's men, in fact, with Juventus' best chances arriving in the second half via Paul Pogba.

However, the No.10 proved wasteful on three occasions after the break and the chance for the champions to extend their lead at the summit to four points ultimately went begging.

Patrice Evra came close for Juve early on when he beat his marker to the ball after Claudio Marchisio's corner from the left, but the Frenchman's header went just wide.

Bologna looked dangerous on the break and Destro nearly surprised Gianluigi Buffon with a powerful shot from outside the area that the experienced goalkeeper did just enough to keep out, with Godfred Donsah guilty of wildly blasting the rebound wide.

Evra got another opportunity when Pogba headed a corner into his path at the half-hour mark, but the former Manchester United defender failed to get his shot on target from close range.Referee Massimiliano Irrati awarded Bologna a free-kick in a dangerous position shortly after the break that Emanuele Giaccherini aimed too high.

Pogba could have broken the deadlock for Juventus in the 54th minute after some great work from Stephan Lichtsteiner down the right, but he volleyed inches wide after the Switzerland international's good cross.Destro tried his luck with a free-kick from 20 yards out with 15 minutes left on the clock, yet the former Roma man's attempt went harmlessly over.

Marchisio found Pogba with a sublime pass late on as Juventus went in search of a late winner, only for the Frenchman to fire wide from a difficult angle.The duo again combined in the 89th minute, but Pogba was frustrated by a fine save from Antonio Mirante this time around as it ended 0-0.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Zidane tips Neville for Valencia success

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane believes his Valencia counterpart Gary Neville is destined to become a great coach owing to his experience as a player.

Former Manchester United captain Neville landed his first job in management in December but has endured a difficult start since taking over from Nuno Espirito Santo.

The 41-year-old enjoyed his first win in La Liga against Espanyol on Saturday, however, and followed that 2-1 triumph up with a 6-0 thrashing of Rapid Wien in the Europa League.

"Gary has played in every big occasion there is to play in, and under one of the greatest coaches [Sir Alex Ferguson] there has ever been," Zidane told ShortList.
"He has so much knowledge to give, but it is a new league for him. If he is given time, I am sure he will do a good job."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal should resign as Man Utd manager - Muhren

Former Manchester United midfielder and Netherlands international Arnold Muhren believes embattled manager Louis van Gaal should leave Old Trafford.

Van Gaal is under immense pressure following United's shock 2-1 loss at Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday.

After suffering their 11th defeat of the season in all competitions, and United six points adrift of the Premier League's top four, Van Gaal's days in Manchester appear numbered, with Jose Mourinho reportedly waiting in the wings.

Muhren, who spent three years at United during the 1980s, was blunt to Omnisport that his compatriot should resign: "Yeah, but he says he doesn't want to do that. I think he would see that as a big loss."They let him spend a lot of money. People shouldn't forget that he also sold some players. But besides that, a club like United should play for trophies all the time.

"There were several moments this year that they didn't play well and the results were bad as well. If you don't play well but you win, they think 'OK but at least we have three points'. But they don't play good."It's also not a stable team. There were so many changings during the season."

Muhren added: "Manchester United are so big. The club is well known in the whole world so they always have to play for trophies. I think Louis van Gaal is a fantastic manager. I think everyone knows that.

"But if you sign a three-year deal like Van Gaal did and you say 'OK the first year we see how it goes, the second year we have to be at the top four and the third year we're going to be champions...' You don't have that much time at a club like Manchester United.

"If you sign there you can't say we have to be there within a couple of years. You have to perform immediately."Yet while Muhren believes Van Gaal's time is up, the 64-year-old feels the English media is making matters worse for the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss.

"He always had great successes everywhere but now...The English press complicates his work as well," Muhren said. "The journalists are waiting for Manchester to make a mistake so that can write negative things about Louis.

"I got the impression that it became a sort of a battle between Louis and the press. When I read the English papers I think to myself 'Oh my God, what is going on there?

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Donnarumma will be Milan's number one for 20 years - Berlusconi

Silvio Berlusconi insists AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is not for sale, despite interest from top clubs, with the president confident the teenager will remain at the San Siro outfit for the next 20 years.

Donnarumma has taken Serie A by storm, becoming Milan's undisputed No.1 at 16 years old, relegating Diego Lopez to the bench.The youngster's exploits have caught the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly interested.

But Berlusconi plans to build Milan around the Italy youth international.
"Donnarumma is 16 years old, he is admired by all and he won't leave Milan, whatever offer might come in," Berlusconi told Premium Sport .

"He will be the Milan goalkeeper for the next 20 years. He is a good lad, very strong physically, mentally and in terms of his character."I think he can be a Milan star of the future."

Berlusconi, whose Milan are sixth in the Serie A table, added: "I hope Milan can bounce back. No team can always win.

"Cycles come to an end. We are rebuilding with a team made up of Italian players; it bothers me to see big sides without Italians."I would like to see an all-Italian Milan. We have an all-Italian defence and midfield, we are just missing the forwards.

"What's more, we are relying on youth: there are six now with the arrival of [Manuel] Locatelli, I see the new [Andrea] Pirlo in him. He is a bright playmaker."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

De Rossi to miss four weeks, confirm Roma

Roma will be without star midfielder Daniele De Rossi for a month due to calf problems, the Serie A outfit have confirmed.

The 32-year-old Italy international star managed only the final 13 minutes of his side’s midweek Champions League encounter against Real Madrid on Wednesday evening, as he came off the bench after missing the previous two league outings duo to a similar injury.

However, Luciano Spaletti’s gamble to reintegrate him appears to have backfired as the experience campaigner faces a month on the sidelines – rendering him absent for the return leg of the Madrid tie.

“Daniele De Rossi underwent tests that showed the presence of a lesion in the soleus of his left leg. For the Giallorossi midfielder, who has played 25 games and scored three goals, the prognosis is that he will miss around four weeks,” the club confirmed via a statement.

Prior to their midweek defeat, Roma had looked rejuvenated and had won four straight matches in Serie A, yet this is a fresh blow to their hopes of Champions League football next term given De Rossi’s absence is set to include a key fixture against Fiorentina and potentially another versus Inter.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Neymar to be Messi's heir, says Ronaldo

Brazil legend Ronaldo believes Neymar has what it takes to match Lionel Messi and become the Argentine's heir at Barcelona.

Neymar has developed into one of the Liga champions' undisputed star players since joining from Santos in 2013 after a difficult start to life at Camp Nou.
He came third in the race for the 2015 Fifa Ballon d'Or - behind Messi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo - and his compatriot believes there is more to come from the 24-year-old.

"I like Neymar a lot. He is a bit like me," Ronaldo told Calciomercato. "He had some difficulties in getting used to his new environment at first, but I knew that he was going to succeed."Can he be Messi's heir? Yes, he has everything he needs to become as strong as him."

Ronaldo was a Barca player for one season in 1996/97 before eventually joining Madrid after a spell with Inter.

The iconic striker played alongside Zinedine Zidane at the Santiago Bernabeu side and he is confident the Frenchman can lead Madrid to Champions League glory this term having succeeded Rafael Benitez as head coach last month.

"Everybody knows that Zizou is a great friend. I really hope that he will have a great career as a coach too," Ronaldo added."He's the best player with whom I have ever played with. We had a lot of fun on the pitch.

"Could this be Real Madrid's year? Yes, they must focus on the Champions League, they have everything to succeed."Winning at Roma [in the first leg of their last-16 tie this week] was very important for Zidane."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea no longer European elite - Hiddink

Interim Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink believes his replacement will have a massive task ahead of them to rebuild the squad and be capable of challenging Europe's elite once again. Chelsea are 12th in the Premier League table - 14 points outside of the top four - with Champions League qualification for next season seeming increasingly unlikely.

Hiddink, who took over from Jose Mourinho on a short-term basis after the Portuguese departed in December, thinks Chelsea have fallen behind the biggest club's in Europe.And the Dutchman has warned his successor that the rebuilding job at Chelsea will not be an easy one.

"It's not a small job," he said. "I don’t want to open up too much but everyone has to make good analysis about the strength of the squad, about the weakness of the squad, and accordingly they have to react in building up, or making the squad stronger for next season. That’s not a small job.

"I don't want to go into details. I am here in the interim period and the people who are not responsible for the every day, every week stuff and games, they have the longer vision of what is the need of this club, they are in charge to do that."

Hiddink said he now sees a big gap between Chelsea and the elite European clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain."If you look at the potential of clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich, it is huge," he said.

"To be honest, if you see PSG, they have a very strong, not just first 11, but can go on to 15, 16, 17 big players."We had some youngsters on the bench against PSG. I am not scared to bring them in but in the long run of a lot of games, you need a bench which is also very experienced."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Marquinhos open to Barcelona move

Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos has suggested he would be open to a transfer to Barcelona at the end of the season.

The 21-year-old was heavily linked with Barca before the start of this season, and it is thought that the Spanish and European champions are continuing to keep tabs on him."I am very happy that a big team like Barcelona are showing an interest in me," Marquinhos told Globo Esporte.

"We will evaluate my situation at the end of the season and make a decision."Barcelona are a great team that won the Champions League last season. It is very pleasing to be linked with them. It shows that I am doing well.

"For now, I am focused on doing well with PSG until the end of the season. I want to keep on doing a great job. And then we will see what happens."Marquinhos, who joined PSG from Roma in 2013, has a contract with the Ligue 1 champions until June 2019.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Muller confident Lewandowski will stay at Bayern

Thomas Muller is optimistic Robert Lewandowski will stay at Bayern Munich regardless of the rumours linking the Polish star with a move elsewhere.

Lewandowski has a contract with Bayern until June 2019, but has been heavily linked with a switch to Real Madrid or Paris Saint-Germain.Bayern are keen to hold on to the prolific striker and have already opened talks over a new and improved deal and Muller is confident his team-mate will stay put."I do not know how serious the interest in him really his," Muller told AZ.

"The transfer market is not open right now. Plus he still has plenty of time left on his current contract. But it is clear that he is a very important player for Bayern."

Muller and Lewandowski have formed a lethal attacking partnership this season, scoring 36 Bundesliga goals between them, and the Germany international is thoroughly enjoying teaming up with the ex-Borussia Dortmund striker.

"We get more space when both of us are out there on the pitch because the defence cannot afford to focus on just one of us," he added.

"We know from each other where we will be going and have a great connection. He is the central striker and I am playing off him."

Muller recently revealed that he rejected the chance to leave Bayern in favour of a new contract until 2021 and he can see himself stay at the Allianz Arena until the end of his career."When you sign a contract, you expect to actually fulfil it," the 26-year-old continued.

"There is still a long time to go, but the club and I are both happy with each other. And I am already over 30 when my contract expires."I hope to be able to keep playing at a level high enough to remain successful at Bayern."