Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes felt his side were not at their best in their 1-0 win over Cologne.
Jupp Heynckes has dismissed speculation that Bayern Munich are about to end Renato Sanches' disappointing loan spell at Swansea.
Sanches, 20, is spending the season on loan at Swansea, but has not finished on the winning side in nine appearances with the Premier League's bottom club.
After failing to make the squad for their last two league games, reports surfaced in the player's native Portugal that Bayern and Swansea were both keen to end their loan agreement prematurely.
However, speaking at a news conference ahead of Bayern's Bundesliga trip to Stuttgart, Heynckes said: "I have spoken to Hasan Salihamidzic [sporting director] in recent weeks and told him that we need to take care of our loan players -- [Serge] Gnabry at Hoffenheim and Sanches at Swansea.
"I expect he [Salihamidzic] and [Sanches] have telephoned, but we have not spoken at all about bringing him back to Bayern -- so I am surprised by this [speculation] somewhat."
Winner of the 2016 Golden Boy award and voted best young player at Euro 2016, Portugal international Sanches had also struggled to meet expectations at Bayern following his move last year from Benfica, when the German champions successfully beat off competition from Manchester United for his signature.
The midfielder only started six Bundesliga games last season under Carlo Ancelotti, failing to score or provide an assist in 25 appearances in all competitions.
Sanches' move to Swansea meant a reunion with Ancelotti's former Bayern assistant, Paul Clement, who worked with the midfielder during his first six months in Bavaria.
Heynckes added: "I haven't wasted any time thinking about it. We are very well catered for with many great players in midfield. Moreover, bear in mind too -- if we were to do this -- would Sanches get any playing time?
Renato Sanches has struggled during his loan spell at Swansea.
"With the rotation that I carry out every midfield player is involved -- that is extremely important at Bayern as they are all internationals. We do not have the same need for a midfielder like we do for another player in a different position."
Heynckes has not written off Sanches completely but hinted that he felt his rise to the top had come too quickly.
"I know all about Portuguese football from my time at Benfica and I know how Benfica develops younger players," he said. "I also followed Sanches' career a little even before Euro 2016 and knew that he had only played very few games at Benfica that season, only 15 or 16, but still managed to make the squad for the Euros -- before signing for Bayern.
"I have to say Renato is a huge talent, but talent is just the one thing. Talents also need the discipline to work daily on their game in order to get integrated and become a team player. Young players also need support and firm leadership -- with some strong words from time to time."
Meanwhile, Heynckes confirmed Sven Ulreich is fit to return in goal after overcoming an adductor injury.
Academy coach Tom Starke has deputised in the previous two 1-0 wins over Frankfurt and Cologne but Ulreich will play against his former side Stuttgart at the weekend.
Heynckes did not rule out Arjen Robben returning for Wednesday's DFB Pokal round-of-16 tie against Borussia Dortmund.
Robben has been battling to overcome a sciatic nerve problem and Sky Deutschland had reported he had played his last football of the year.
However, Heynckes said he was "surprised" by these reports.
"I have just spoken to Arjen and he is feeling relatively good," he added. "But he must be 100 percent and pain free to perform well. We will wait until Monday to see how he is."
Mark Lovell covers Bayern Munich for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter: @LovellLowdown.
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Source: espn.co.uk