Champions target third win in eight days

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1240 votes: 2

20.10.2006

Just three days after a battling 1-0 Champions League triumph in Lisbon, Bayern face another away trip of no less significance when they travel to face current Bundesliga leaders Werder Bremen on Saturday (live in English from 3.15 pm CET on FCB Champions Web Radio). Goal difference alone separates the sides at the top of the standings, with Felix Magath and his men determined to assume the domestic lead for themselves.

"This is definitely the meeting between the best two teams in Germany," chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge reflected following the midweek European fixture. "It would be wonderful if we could continue our run in Bremen. I'd like to be celebrating top spot in the Bundesliga by Saturday evening."

Magath confident

Coach Magath is similarly hoping for a third win in eight days to follow up victories over Hertha Berlin and Sporting Lisbon. "We set ourselves the task of winning three matches this week. We've won two, so we only need one more," the boss declared, reporting a "very good feeling" in advance of the clash at the Weser stadium: "I'm confident of a successful outcome."

Magath insisted he was pleased to be facing another big-name club after his side's midweek exertions in Europe. "We always find it easier against good teams. They give us more space to play," he pointed out, predicting an attacking game from both sides: "I'm assuming Werder will also get forward and go in search of goals."

Respect for Bremen

Captain Oliver Kahn foresaw end-to-end stuff on Saturday afternoon. "It's first against second. Obviously both teams will go for it," the 37-year-old commented, hoping his team-mates would capitalise on their sky-high belief: "I think we'll probably play a shade more aggressively there than in recent visits."

The home side will not be short of confidence themselves after thrashing Bochum 6-0 away from home and disposing of Levski Sofia 2-0 in midweek. "Obviously we respect Bremen. Their Champions League form tells us they rate as a top European team," Magath acknowledged. "Both teams are in good shape. It should be a match to enjoy."

Sagnol fit

Magath will keep faith with the bulk of the stars who invested so much courage and passion in an ultimately deserved victory in Portugal. Both Willy Sagnol (knee) and Philipp Lahm (head wound) have been declared fit, with only Owen Hargreaves and Valerien Ismael (both rehab after leg fractures), Sebastian Deisler and Andreas Görlitz (regaining fitness) and veteran Mehmet Scholl (hamstring) out of contention.

Roy Makaay will be recalled to the starting line-up. "I rested him on Wednesday ready for Bremen," Magath grinned, although the boss declined to advise whether he would field two or three strikers, "because we could do either." Up in Bremen, respected coach Thomas Schaaf is without injured Germany star Tim Borowski, but is placing great faith in his side's defensive excellence of late. "We'll be boosted by the fact we've kept three clean sheets in a row, and we're aiming to prove we're on a roll this weekend."

Probable line-ups:

Werder Bremen: Wiese - Fritz, Mertesacker, Naldo, Wome - Baumann - Frings, Schulz - Diego - Klose, Hunt

Bayern Munich: Kahn - Sagnol, Van Buyten, Lucio, Lahm - Van Bommel, Ottl, Schweinsteiger - Pizarro, Makaay, Podolski
Also in matchday squad: Rensing, Lell, Demichelis, Salihamidzic, Dos Santos, Karimi, Santa Cruz

Referee: Herbert Fandel (Kyllburg)

Bayern's record in the fixture: P40 W9 D13 L18 F42 A59

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