Kaiser backing for Klinsmann

Klinsmann: Decisions defended

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Bayern Munich president Franz Beckenbauer has backed Jurgen Klinsmann's selection policy following the shock defeat at struggling Hannover.

Klinsmann started the match with inexperienced Brazilian defender Breno and Argentinian midfielder Jose Ernesto Sosa, and was criticised by the media for his decision.

However, Beckenbauer has refused to join in the press criticism of his coach following the champions' second straight Bundesliga defeat:

"When are Breno and Sosa supposed to get match practice if they are never picked," wrote Beckenbauer in his column in Bild.

"And why not give them a chance against Hannover? Jurgen is going to need them over the course of the season, so it is the right move to give them a chance.

"Even if Bayern had played their best starting XI they wouldn't have won.

"96 were stronger in the tackle and kept the pace high until the end. Bayern hardly created any goalscoring opportunities and that is not just the fault of the selection policy."

Bitterly upset

Klinsmann, whose team lost 5-2 at home to Werder Bremen the previous weekend, was left devastated by Saturday's defeat at Hannover.

"It was a totally unnecessary defeat, and it hurts," said Klinsmann. "I'm bitterly upset.

"We totally lost our rhythm. We lacked so many things we'd have needed to turn it around - creativity, inspiration and how we played when not in possession.

"Obviously, it was simply not enough to force our opponents into errors and create chances of our own."