Berlin: SC Paderborn know each of the eight points they have collected thus far that led them to the top of the Bundesliga are valuable assets in the fight against relegation.
So the promoted side head into their showdown at Bayern Munich on Tuesday just wanting to enjoy playing the powerhouse champions.
“We want to show our best performance and give our all. The guys should enjoy the match. The result isn’t the most important thing for me,” admitted Paderborn coach Andre Breitenreiter after his team knocked off Hanover 96 2-0 to move atop the league.
“We have shown that we can play in different systems in the Bundesliga. The team has proven once again its high tactical discipline.”
Breitenreiter said the team topping the table is a “nice moment for the guys, the club and all SCP fans”. But the coach isn’t ready to just roll over and hand Bayern victory at the Allianz Arena.
“Of course we have a tactical plan against Bayern. But Bayern Munich are Bayern Munich. This club is in a class of its own.”
Bayern are just one point behind Paderborn but are fourth in the table behind Mainz and Hoffenheim, both of whom also have eight points.
For the second straight match, Munich will be facing a team less worried about the final result than enjoying the game. And Bayern failed to get their work done against a last-placed Hamburg team who were playing their first game under new coach Joe Zinnbauer and didn’t have high expectations of picking up points despite playing at home.
Munich are frustrated and angry about their scoreless draw in Hamburg.
“I’m not going home now feeling happy about taking a point. I’m angry,” said Thomas Mueller after Munich’s first goalless draw since April 14, 2012.
“Yet again we’ll have to work hard for the full 90 minutes. We need to dig deep and pull out everything we have,” added Munich playmaker Mario Goetze.
“We need to pool our strengths and then take three points at home.”
