Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann claims he has already fulfilled the main target he was given when he took over at the German champions, but knows he cannot afford to rest on his laurels.
Klinsmann took over from Ottmar Hitzfeld last summer with success in the Champions League the priority and, having reached the last eight, where Bayern will face Barcelona, he has already achieved that.
Yet that no longer seems enough as Klinsmann still struggles to win over the critics.
"The task the board gave me was to get this team back among the best in Europe," he revealed. "Together with Barcelona, we have so far made the most convincing impression.
"We are on an incredible streak in the Champions League and are playing quick, attacking football. If we can beat Barca now, then nobody will be moaning anymore."
But the fans' main gripe is with Bayern's league form. They have yet to sit atop the Bundesliga this season and this is why Klinsmann, despite his successes in Europe, including a record 7-1 win over Sporting Lisbon in the last round, cannot feel so comfortable in his position.
"We cannot find consistency and the mental approach we need to be able to play our best in the league," he admitted in an interview with Kicker magazine.
"We are only managing to do that when we are under real pressure and it appears to be our last chance. After every defeat, everything is called into question."
But Klinsmann still fancies his side's chances of winning the league and is rolling his sleeves up for the final nine games of the season.
"I would be unhappy if we did not win the league and I can say that openly," he added. "The countdown begins now and this is when the titles are decided."
Bayern travel to Wolfsburg in their next Bundesliga fixture to face a side who have yet to lose in 2009 and are currently level on points and goal difference with them in second place.
But the likelihood is the title will go down to the wire with Bayern facing fellow challengers Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim and Stuttgart in their last three games of the season.