Despite losing to Milan in what he earlier described as ‘the first of four finals for us”, Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, has not given up hope of qualifying for the second phase of the Champions League.
Bayern went down 2-1 to Milan last night and with just one point from three games, their chances of progressing look remote.
“Of course I’m very disappointed that we didn’t win this match,” Hitzfeld said. “We took early control of the game, but (Filippo) Inzaghi proved that he’s a striker who doesn’t need many chances to score. We lost this game undeservedly.”
“We’re not finished yet,” added the defiant Bayern coach. “We can win in Milan too. I still see a realistic chance to survive the first group stage.
“We have to win in Milan and we have had some great victories in the past so everything is possible,” he added.
“We just have to believe in it.”
Bayern’s skipper and goalkeeper Oliver Kahn echoed these sentiments. “I’ve been through a lot,” he said.
“It’s only half-time, we now have to win our last three matches.”
Meanwhile, Milan coach Carllo Ancelotti was understandably delighted with his side’s performance.
“We fought as much as we needed to,” said Ancelotti. “We had many problems with Bayern but I’m proud of my team. We will remember this game for a long time.”
“The team played very well, but we only stand at the beginning,” he added.
“We don’t fear anyone and after our last two away matches everybody should know how strong we are. We can go much further than this group stage.”
