Bayern boss backs Germans to prevail on penalties

MUNICH: Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has backed his club's mental strength to prevail should Saturday's Champions League final against Chelsea be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Bayern host Chelsea at Munich's Allianz Arena and with his team having already won two penalty shoot-outs this season, Heynckes is backing his side to prevail if Saturday's final comes down to spot-kicks.

Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was the hero when Bayern won their Champions League semi-final at Real Madrid on penalties last month after the Bavarians also beat Moenchengladbach in a shoot-out in the last four of the German Cup.

"I think we have a positive balance compared to English teams, although I hope we can avoid a penalty shoot-out," admitted the 67-year-old Heynckes.

"At my age that would be the third penalty shoot-out this season after Gladbach and Real Madrid and I don't know if my heart could survive that sort of tension," he quipped.

"I don't think that a penalty has anything to do with talent.

"I think it has to do with the mental power of a player and to have the absolute will to score.

"I think that the German teams have always shown that they are strong, that they have this resolve and the capacity to focus on this certain element and in this case, the penalties.

"I don't think it makes much sense to train and practise for them.

"You can see already during a training session who is the right person for a penalty shot.

"I don't think it is necessary to train that, but as to the mental strength this is something that must be learned and acquired."

With Germany having famously beaten England on penalty shoot-outs in semi-finals at both the 1990 World Cup and Euro 96, Bayern and Germany captain Philipp Lahm acknowledged the unique rivalry between the rival nations.

"It's always interesting when the two important footballing nations meet, it's the same thing at club level as on the international stage," said Lahm.

"Chelsea have been around for some years now and it is always tough to play these top Premier League teams.

"They wouldn't be where they are if they didn't deliver good football, it's always been interesting between England and Germany, these are fantastic duels."