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15/06/2001 (www.fcbayern.de)
Exclusive interview with Jens Jeremies
Jens Jeremies was perhaps the unluckiest man of the season. A knee injury meant he was reduced to the role of spectator both during the dramatic closing stages of the Bundesliga and the Champions' League triumph. But following a second knee operation the 27 year-old is now well on the the road to recovery. Although he is on holiday, the midfielder took time out to speak to Bayern's online team, reflecting on his injury, the final in Milan and the coming season.
Hello Jens, let's begin with the most important question: How's the knee?
Jeremies: "The knee is recovering well. The blood analysis is better again and now I just have to give it time and let everything heal properly."
Will you be there when training restarts?
Jeremies: "We'll see over the next few weeks. Before the first operation I actually played four weeks through the pain, then had the operation, then the next few matches, then the second operation - all this really stressed my knee. Naturally it all has to settle down first."
What can your knee withstand at the moment?
Jeremies: "Right now I can't do a lot, first of all I've got to let everything settle down. I can do whatever I like until the pain comes back. As soon as it's painful I have to lay off."
How have you coped with the experiences of the last four weeks, with the Championship and the Champions' League victory?
Jeremies: "Very well, all things considered. After the final I had another operation, spent a week in hospital and had the opportunity to think everything over, how it all played out in the end. But now I've basically got it out of my system, and I'm already thoroughly looking forward to next season."
What's most important to you right now, relief that this long and tiring season is finally over, or anticipation that it will all start again soon?
Jeremies: "No, anticipation is definitely more important. Because of my injury I've already had a three, four week longer break than the others. Now I'm raring to go out and do things again. Especially as I've not been able to do anything in the last few weeks - not even running or cycling. Now I'm going to make sure I get physically up to speed again."
You had to sit on the sidelines as a spectator for the Champions' League final in Milan. What's your view of the game?
Jeremies: "The game was a reflection of the whole season. We were on our knees two or three times in the final - and we still came back. That demonstrated the true quality of this team. When we went 1-0 down in the second minute and then missed a penalty the game was already as good as lost. However over the 90, actually over the 120 minutes we were clearly the better team - for this reason we deserved to win the game. And when you think of our Champions' League season as a whole, we deserved to lift the title.""
So you've finally consigned the 1999 defeat to history?
Jeremies: "Of course, yes, we've finally exorcised Barcelona. After our quarter-final victories over Manchester and the semi-final over Real, we wanted to win the title at all costs this year, to extinguish the trauma of Barcelona once and for all. And luckily we did it."
Looking forward now to the new season. You've got four new players - Pablo Thiam, Claudio Pizarro and the Kovac brothers. What you think of the new arrivals?
Jeremies: "It was understandably important to strengthen the squad. As we saw last season, playing so many games drains your strength, especially when someone becomes unavailable due to injury. It's good to get some fresh blood on board. The newcomers have yet to win titles, they'll be extremely geared up for success. It will certainly be an exciting year."
However, there's a lot more competition for your position. Are you ready to fight and battle through?
Jeremies: "I have no worries on that score. As long as 'm physically fit, I'll definitely play."
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