Salihamidzic: Weather news is a relief

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1330 votes: 2

20.11.2006

In all likelihood, kitman Thomas Reschke will not need to pack the full winter gear for Bayern's Champions League trip to face Russian runners-up Spartak Moscow on Wednesday, as the weather forecast for the next few days promises a relatively mild two or three degrees above freezing in the Russian capital. That should allow Reschke to leave at least one of his heavy aluminium cases at home, as the thermal sports underclothing should prove surplus to requirements.

The players are equally delighted at the welcome news on the weather front. "It's a relief to know you're not going to play in a fur coat," Hasan Salihamidzic joshed at Monday's news conference. Willy Sagnol expressed a similar view, based on previous challenging experiences of playing in sub-zero temperatures.

Close to cancellation last time

The veteran Bayern pair were both part of the team on 21 February 2001 when the Reds last travelled to face Spartak. The conditions were considerably more harsh than those forecast for this week: Bayern stepped out for final training at the Luzhniki stadium with the thermometer showing -21 degrees. Indeed, the match was almost cancelled, as UEFA regulations state a game cannot kick off with the temperature below -18 degrees, as this is judged a health risk to the players.

Salihamidzic recalled another unusual happening ahead of the match five years ago: the night before kick-off, dozens of Russian soldiers spread green sawdust over the pitch in an effort to convince TV viewers that the game was taking place on a lush grass surface. In reality, weeks of sub-zero temperatures had made the pitch almost unplayable, with hardly a blade of grass visible on an expanse of frozen brown mud.

Artificial turf poses challenge

Bayern will be spared that particular unpleasant surprise in midweek, as the grass at the Luzhniki stadium has been replaced by artificial turf since then, although that in itself poses another challenge. "We're not used to it. The ball bounces higher, the pace is much faster and you have to play to feet," Salihamidzic explained. The squad spent both Sunday and Monday at the Säbener Strasse training on the artificial turf normally reserved for more junior teams.

"It'll be very difficult on their playing surface," Sagnol confirmed. "We'll need to concentrate hard and keep it tight." Munich would surely settle for a repeat of the outcome five years ago, when a Mehmet Scholl brace and a Paulo Sergio strike sealed a 3-0 victory. "We took all three points back then. I hope we can do it again," Sagnol smiled.

MUTU

Great news indeed! I've been worried about the temperature in Russia ever since the draws came out.

tracylynn