adminsaying all his squad listened to and executed his tactical orders very well.
“When it comes to the rules, tactics and strategies we define, I am extremely satisfied with the whole group’s response,” Bento said yesterday, when asked about Mourinho’s recent criticism of Ronaldo.
“I am extremely satisfied with the assimilation and interpretation of my ideas.” Bento was speaking ahead of his side’s key World Cup qualifier against Group F leaders Russia today.
Mourinho took time out to appear at former Germany captain Michael Ballack’s final match of his career in Leipzig on Wednesday.
Ballack, 36, bowed out in a testimonial match — titled ‘Ciao Capitano’ in honour of his nickname — attended by 50 000 spectators.
Ballack, who was capped 98 times including the Euro 2008 final defeat by Spain, scored three times in the 4-3 win by his side ‘Ballack’s friends’ against an invitational team.
“It is fantastic that after such a long season so many international stars (former Chelsea teammate Didier Drogba was among them) came to play,” purred Ballack.
“It has really been a super career despite some difficult moments,” added Ballack, who won four Bundesliga titles (one with Kaiserslautern and three with Bayern Munich) and a Premier League title and FA Cup with Chelsea.
Mourinho, who brought Ballack to Chelsea in 2006, was full of praise for the attacking midfielder.
“He was a fantastic player for Chelsea and for Germany,” said Mourinho.
“I wish him from the bottom of my heart all the happiness in the world in his retirement.”
German national coach Joachim Loew was also among the crowd even though the two of them had a troubled relationship.
Champions League winners Bayern Munich have sold out 16 of a total of 17 Bundesliga home games for next season as demand remains high following their treble-winning run, the club said yesterday.
“We have already had between 80 000 to 140 000 orders for each of the 16 games,” said Bayern board director and former UBS Germany chief Jan-Christian Dreesen.
“Only for the game against Hoffenheim there are only 68 000 orders and a few remaining tickets available.”
The run on tickets for the matches at the 69 000-capacity Allianz Arena comes only five days after the official end of the season and nine weeks before the start of the new campaign in August.
Bayern, who can again expect around 1.2 million fans in total, have just enjoyed their most successful season after also winning the German league and Cup titles.
Bayern had sold out all 17 home games last year by July 11. — SuperSport.
Online Reporter