BayernForum.com

10.02.2007

Ottmar Hitzfeld has never coached a team at the Allianz Arena, but he knows his way around the stadium and has stepped out onto the hallowed turf before now. "I've been out on the pitch a couple of times as a TV expert, and I did think to myself: I'd like to have been here as a coach," the boss revealed ahead of his team's meeting with Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday (<b>Live in English from 4:45 pm on FCB.tv Web Radio</b>), when that particular wish will come true.

"I'm looking forward to the Arena, the home support, and obviously a win for us," the 58-year-old declared ahead of his second home debut. He last took up station on the bench at a Bayern home match on 22 May 2004, bidding an emotional farewell to the Munich faithful following a 2-0 victory over Freiburg and six mainly glorious seasons.

<b>In-form Stuttgart win again</b>

Hitzfeld is keen for his men to recapture those glory days, starting with Sunday's Bielefeld clash. The Reds thoroughly respect what Arminia coach Thomas von Heesen has achieved with the workaday club, "but you have to beat the Bielefelds of this world," Hitzfeld insisted.

Saturday's Bundesliga results have only served to increase the pressure on fourth-placed Bayern. Schalke are practically over the horizon in top spot, a 2-0 victory over Berlin moving the Royal Blues 14 points clear of the champions, but of more immediate concern was VfB Stuttgart's 4-1 triumph against Werder Bremen, leaving the Reds seven points off third place going into Sunday's fixture. Last season's double winners know they must win if they are to stay in touch at the top. "We can definitely still qualify for the Champions League, but we have to make a start on Sunday," Roy Makaay confirmed.

<b>Intensive training</b>

In fact, Hitzfeld took the initial steps in that direction during an intensive first week back at the club. The first few days were dedicated to the forwards, but the coach turned the spotlight on defence from midweek onwards. Hitzfeld has demanded an overall improvement against Bielefeld. "I'm interested to see whether we've made progress, both at the back and up front," he explained.

"I think we're in good shape for Sunday," Oliver Kahn predicted. "I'm hoping for more solid defending. Whenever we've defended well in the past, we've won a high percentage of our matches. Provided we can get back to that, we could still achieve plenty," the club captain continued.

<b>Enforced changes</b>

"We have to keep it tight, and every player has to unconditionally help his team-mates," Hitzfeld observed, although that does not mean an ultra-defensive Bayern on Sunday. "As we always do at home, we want to attack, but not like headless chickens," Makaay pointed out. Hitzfeld and his key players have consistently pointed to a stable defensive platform as the foundation for potent attacking play.

The home line-up will not finally be settled until shortly before kick-off. Bastian Schweinsteiger serves a one-match suspension, while Willy Sagnol (knee), Owen Hargreaves (illness) and reserve keeper Michael Rensing (illness) are out of contention. If recent training sessions are any indication, Hasan Salihamidzic could fill in at right-back, behind a midfield diamond comprising Mark van Bommel to the right, Andreas Ottl on the left, and Martin Demichelis alongside Ali Karimi in central positions. Lukas Podolski may be handed a chance in place of Claudio Pizarro up front.

<b>Bent on revenge</b>

Both combatants on Sunday have yet to win since the winter break. The visitors are looking for a first victory in eight matches, but Bayern know they face a tricky afternoon, not least with the painful memory of a 2-1 defeat in Bielefeld last autumn still fresh in the memory. "We have a score to settle," Van Bommel confirmed.

Munich are also keen to mollify an increasingly restless home crowd. "We must make sure the fans have nothing to boo for a full 90 minutes. It's in our own hands," Makaay remarked. Bayern have been working feverishly during the week, but the fruits of that labour need to be seen against Bielefeld, as Kahn acknowledged. "It's a cliche, but this is the way it is: The moment of truth arrives on Sunday at 5 pm."

<b>Probable line ups:</b>

<b>Bayern Munich:</b> Kahn - Salihamidzic, Lucio, van Buyten, Lahm - van Bommel, Demichelis, Karimi, Ottl - Makaay, Podolski
<b>Also in matchday squad:</b> Dreher, Görlitz, Lell, Scholl, Fürstner, Santa Cruz, Pizarro

<b>Arminia Bielefeld:</b> Hain - Korzynietz, Westermann, Gabriel, Schuler - Kauf, Marx - Kamper, Böhme - Zuma, Eigler

<b>Referee:</b> Mr Rafati (Hanover)

<b>Bayern's record in the fixture:</b> P14 W11 D2 L1 F35 A15

Cool Poldi in the first team.