Ottmar Hitzfeld looks back on Bayern's Champions League triumph in 2001
Ottmar Hitzfeld says the Bayern München team were 'desperate to prove themselves' when they took home the Champions League trophy in 2001.
| Ottmar Hitzfeld. | Photo: Biso, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 |
After suffering a devastating 1-2 loss to Manchester United in the final in 1999, Hitzfeld led Bayern to Champions League glory in 2001, beating Valencia on penalties at San Siro, Milan.
"The pressure was much greater in 2001, because we lost two years earlier. However, our loss in the final in 1999 seemed to trigger a response of defiance," Hitzfeld said in an interview with Kicker and added:
"The players were determined to prove themselves. In general, it's always the little things that make the difference in finals, though.
"The players at the time had a great mentality, which is ultimately decisive," the 71-year-old said.
Hitzfeld worked as Bayern coach in 1998-2004 and 2007-2008.
