Bayern Munich boss pleased with win over Basel
Bayern Munich manager Louis van Gaal has declared himself happy with victory over Basel in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
The German Bundesliga champions did not have the easiest of games against their Swiss opponents, but came back from a goal down to win, with a double from Bastian Schweinsteiger cancelling out Alexander Frei’s opener for the home side.
Van Gaal, although disappointed to see his side struggle, was glad his players put their dismal domestic form to the back of their minds to pick up three points in the elite European competition.
'Very happy with six points'
He told reporters that: "We started very well but the first time they crossed the halfway line we conceded a goal. We could see that the confidence was not high and after that we played very badly in the first half. In the second half I changed my team to
create more power and it worked. Although we were 1-0 down we exerted a lot of pressure in this difficult period and we won. We have six points and therefore I'm very happy."
Van Gaal also spoke of his side’s next clash and was hoping to give his players a day off to recover from their exertions in Switzerland.
He said that: "Looking towards the Bundesliga, I can, for the first time, give my players a rest day on Thursday. It's good to have a little bit of relaxation and to switch off from football. Then, maybe, we will manage to surprise people and win at Dortmund
on Sunday."
Although Bayern are at the top of their Champions League group after a 100 per cent start, they have not fared so well in the Bundesliga. They have picked up eight points from their first six games and are already ten points behind league leaders Mainz.
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