Champions League 2011: Bayern Munich's aristocrats keen to put Manchester City's upstarts in their place
“I noticed that millions have been invested by certain people there very badly,” he said. “I saw that they [the players] can do absolutely nothing, even though they were very expensive.”
Well City have come on a lot and this summer there was less contempt, more a sense of threat. “I think they are going to have 48 players under contract but according to Financial Fair Play they can have only 25,” Rummenigge said.
“According to their last balance sheet, if I’m correct, they’re down £127 million. Maybe they still have a trick up their sleeves but I’m not sure that they will be permitted to play in the Champions League.”
This was in the midst of a dispute between the two clubs over a fee for defender Jerome Boateng. Rummenigge felt City’s “strategy” was disrespectful while City simply maintained they were trying to get fair value for their player.
Negotiations were eventually completed and relations have apparently improved, but the back-story will give this fixture an edge.
“It is normal that everyone has an opinion on City,” Roberto Mancini said. “It’s important that we respect everyone’s opinions but we will continue to do things our way. I think that, for example, every time people say that Manchester City have spent more than other clubs, it’s false. I’ve said before that at least five clubs have spent more than us this summer.”
Ultimately the only way to show Bayern that City have arrived in the Champions League will be on the turf of the Allianz Arena.
It is a fixture packed with promise. Both sides have started the season explosively and with both managers playing an expansive, attacking game it should be compelling.
Bayern have something to prove this season. They came third last year, Louis van Gaal’s boorish charisma wore thin and he was sacked in March. Back came Jupp Heynckes, for his third spell in charge.
Along with Boateng, the club signed Rafinha, a Brazilian right-back from Genoa, Nils Petersen, a back-up striker from Energie Cottbus and Manuel Neuer, the outstanding Schalke goalkeeper. Yet it is Heynckes’ work with the existing players that has been Bayern’s catalyst in the Bundesliga.
Franck Ribéry did not get on with Van Gaal and has appeared liberated, while Toni Kroos, who has carried the burden of his potential since a teenager, is finally beginning to deliver on it under Heynckes.
With Arjen Robben and Mario Gomez also back to fitness there is no shortage of style and swagger.
City want to test themselves against this calibre of opposition regularly. They are committed to becoming part of the European elite, and this will not be City’s last visit to the Allianz Arena. If they make good on their talent, it might not be their last visit there this season — the stadium hosts the final.
