Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann insists his side will give Bundesliga leaders Hoffenheim no peace until they are back at the top of the table — starting today.
With Hoffenheim playing Bayer Leverkusen yesterday, defending champions Bayern can go top if they pick up all three points against Hertha Berlin at the Olympic Stadium today and Hoffenheim only manage a draw or worse.
Despite being second in the table, Bayern have yet to claim top place in the league this season — mainly due to some erratic form.
Having started the year with a shock defeat at Hamburg which left them fourth, Bayern were the only team in the top five to win last weekend and they are now just one point behind Hoffenheim.
“We’re close to Hoffenheim. We’ll not leave them in peace now, and we want to overtake them in the next few weeks,” Klinsmann said, whose side beat Dortmund 3-1 last Sunday.
And the players are getting restless with the situation.
“We’re all aware of the standings,” said Bayern goalkeeper Michael Rensing. “We want to go top as soon as possible, as we’re tired of playing catch-up. We want the others looking at us.”
Klinsmann says his side must ignore results elsewhere and concentrate on their own performance.
“It’s only a matter of time. We’ll pass Hoffenheim soon,” said the ex-Germany boss. “If we stop dropping points, we’ll automatically go top of the pile at some point.”
“We’ve learned from our set-back in Hamburg. We have to follow up after successful displays,” he said.
Berlin will have captain Arne Friedrich back after a back injury while Bayern only have defender Massimo Oddo missing, through suspension.
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