Bayern Munich vs SC Freiburg - Jupp Heynckes tells Bayern defence to tighten up

Posted Saturday, October 14, 2017 by PA

Jupp Heynckes wants to tighten up Bayern Munich's backline as he prepares for his first game back in charge of the Bundesliga champions.

The 72-year-old, who agreed to become Bayern boss for the fourth time when he replaced Carlo Ancelotti on October 6, leads the team against Freiburg at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

While he is content with the attacking talent on Bayern's books, he believes the team need to improve defensively after letting in seven goals in as many league matches.

"We've conceded too many goals," Heynckes told Bayern's official website. "We have to be stable in defence and have a sense of coordination between the different parts of the team.

"We have so much class in attack that we can always do something there."

Second-placed Bayern have never lost to Freiburg in the Bundesliga, winning 15 and drawing two of the previous 17 encounters.

They are also unbeaten at home in the league since a 2-1 defeat to Mainz 19 months ago.

Heynckes, who previously managed Bayern between 1987 and 1991, as a caretaker in 2009 and again from 2011 to 2013, anticipates a reaction from Bayern's players following the recent change of coach.

"I'm expecting the team to be highly motivated and play with vigour," he said. "We need a result, and then the confidence and self-belief will return.

"It's important that the players gain belief in their own performances again."

Bayern, who drew their last two Bundesliga games, will be without a number of key players for the weekend fixture due to injury, including goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, midfielder Arturo Vidal and winger Franck Ribery.

Despite those high-profile absentees, Freiburg boss Christian Streich knows his 15th-placed side have a tough assignment, although he expects his players to make a game of it.

"It goes without saying that the Bayern Munich players will be itching to win on Saturday," he said, according to Bayern's website. "But so are we.

"We don't want to just be a sparring partner."