Romanian international Cosmin Contra’s 90th-minute equaliser snatched a 1-1 draw for Getafe at the Allianz Arena in last week’s first-leg and Bayern now have their work cut out to make the semifinals.
“It’s also thrown a damper on our morale,” Hitzfeld said on the club’s website. “But it’s no reason to hang our heads. We’ll be a little angry when we go there. We’ll be thinking it’s time to show them who’s boss.”
Contra’s goal cancelled out Luca Toni’s first-half strike and Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn is rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of a winner-takes-all contest in Madrid. “We’re set for a fantastic European night, with all that involves, it definitely won’t be a 0-0 draw,” said Kahn.
After dominating Getafe in Thursday night’s first half, Bayern slipped into a mediocre performance in front of 62,000 fans squandering several chances to put the game beyond Getafe’s reach.
“We played really well in the first half and should have led 2-0 at half-time. We created chances every two or three minutes,” Hitzfeld reflected.
But Getafe were quick to exploit the gaps and created a number of presentable chances, before, as Hitzfeld, admitted “a chain reaction of defensive mistakes” finally paved the way for the equaliser.
“We have only ourselves to blame,” lamented Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.
No one in the Munich camp is contemplating elimination from Europe. “There’s still everything to play for. We’ll get through, even if it takes penalties,” said Bayern captain Kahn.
Hitzfeld has virtually a full squad to choose from with only long-term injury concern Hamit Altintop on the side-lines while reserve goalkeeper Michael Rensing is recovering from a tooth operation.