Football
Mark Lovell, Bayern Munich blogger 6y

Heynckes says Bayern Munich has 'no A or B team' ahead of UCL clash

MUNICH -- Treble-seeking Jupp Heynckes will not hesitate to make sweeping changes in the Champions League round-of-16 against Besiktas, but insisted "there is no A or B team, there is only FC Bayern."

Heynckes, 72, could make as many as eight changes from his Bundesliga starting XI that won 2-1 in Wolfsburg at the weekend thanksĀ to a last-minute penalty from substitute Robert Lewandowski.

Asked about the prospect of heavy rotation for the visit of the Turkish champions, Heynckes said: "It's not easy to moderate as we have 21 top players.

"I wouldn't have found it funny either as a player if I wasn't in the starting XI, but there is no A or B team -- there is only FC Bayern.

"However, there are far more benefits, everyone feels important and gets playing time. Every player knows their position and gets on well with each other, so I don't think we have too many problems with rotation."

Seeking their sixth Bundesliga title in succession, Bayern have moved 19 points clear at the top with 11 games remaining and are also safely into the last four of the DFB Pokal for a ninth successive season.

Bayern host Besiktas in fine form with 13 successive wins in all competitions and have also won nine consecutive Champions League games under Heynckes, who led them to the triple in 2013, including a 2-1 win at Wembley in the all-German final against Borussia Dortmund.

Heynckes said: "This team is simply amazing. We're hungry for titles and always fight until the very end. That's what sets us apart at Bayern."

The former Real Madrid coach confirmed that winger Kingsley Coman had recovered from a light cold, having missed the Bundesliga trip to Wolfsburg at the weekend.

The French international's return means that, apart from goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Heynckes can enjoy the luxury of a fully fit squad on Tuesday.

Heynckes added: "Kingsley took a full part in training and is feeling good. He had a cold, but didn't have a fever which is vital, so he is available. Kingsley has exceptional quality and huge potential as an attacker. But he still needs to work on his game, today talent and ability is not enough.

"I have the squad in my mind but I will inform the players tomorrow. There's always a chance that players can fall sick over night with all the flu going around."

Heynckes has his sights set on extending his run of reaching the final at every attempt (1998 Real, 2012 & 2013 Bayern) during the Champions League era, but backed the five Premier League sides to provide strong competition in this year's edition.

"There are many favourites this year with five very strong English teams who have all improved enormously. Then you also have Barca and Real Madrid provided they come through against PSG; it's difficult to make a prediction.

"We want to continue our successful history in the competition. We know how much this competition means, because all the top clubs in Europe want to win it," he said.

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