Bayern Munich coach insists team must work together

Coach Jupp Heynckes has demanded Bayern Munich work together to bounce back from their Champions League defeat in Basel by beating Schalke in the Bundesliga on Sunday to get their season back on track.

"We must all pull together in one direction," said Heynckes after his players argued in Basel.

"The team spirt is the most important thing, we need to be united as quickly as possible. We must find the team spirit to succeed.

"It's very important we communicate more on the field.

"That's what I mean by teamwork, we have to talk to each other and support each other much more.

"The only way to compete at the highest level of football is with the team as a whole. And all the pieces have to fall into place."

Bayern were beaten 1-0 at FC Basel on Wednesday in the Champions League Round of 16 first-leg clash and face an uphill battle for the return at Munich's Allianz Arena on March 13.

The players were seen to argue after Basel scored their late goal with both Germany's Thomas Mueller and Holger Badstuber blaming the other for not shutting down the move which led to Basel's Valentin Stocker scoring the winner.

Bayern have won just three of their last seven games and their goalless draw at Freiburg last Saturday saw them slip to third in the German league and are four points behind leaders Dortmund.

Schalke are just a point behind them in fourth and Bayern need three points and a good performance from their star-studded team to calm a few nerves.

Their season hinges on the next fortnight with the second-leg against Basel and the German Cup semi-final against Borussia Moenchengladbach on March 21.

The tension has mounted as the idea dawns that inconceivably Bayern could end up without any silverware for a second season running.

Directly after the final whistle in Basel, president Uli Hoeness stormed into the team's changing room and shouting was heard, but Heynckes is sending out a calmer image.

"I know what to do," he said.

"I don't fear our goals for this season."

Heynckes accepts that a run of unsatisfactory performances recently was bound to attract criticism.

"We mustn't be put off by that, instead, we have to rediscover the things which made us strong. We need composure and confidence."