MD 18: Borussia Dortmund 3 - 2 Bayern München

[Oliver_Kahn]

He would like to be a Bayern player and Sagnol can be very important for Bayern to close this deal.

Besides Ribery, we'll need another one. Who would you like ?

[Trim]

Van Der Vaart would be a great sign. Or even Robben or Diego (though can't see him leaving Werder so soon)

[Oliver_Kahn]

Yeah, Diego is out of reach and so is Robben (chelsea would never sell him).

Van der Vaart is more likely, we do need a better playmaker. I'm nto a big fan of Van Bommel.

[Trim]

^ I like Van Bommel actualy, but yea, he's not a playmaker.
He's a defensive midfielder, he's a cannibal in the field, and thats what I like about him. No one can get past him, and if someone gets, he's gon get fouled.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Originally Posted by T-Red

^ I like Van Bommel actualy, but yea, he's not a playmaker.
He's a defensive midfielder, he's a cannibal in the field, and thats what I like about him. No one can get past him, and if someone gets, he's gon get fouled.

Yeah

Van Bommel - Van der Vaart 8)

What do you think of Andreas Ottl ?

[Trim]

Ottl is a very good, young player, talented.
But he's very young to have the whole midfield based on his shoulders.

[Oliver_Kahn]

He has the potencial to be a great midfielder in the future.

I just hope we can kick Hargreaves to Utd.

[Trim]

^ Yeah, a player who's mind isn't @ Bayern, is useless.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Specially, when a club offers 30m € for him.

[bludhaven]

Bayern fans beware for the wrath of Alex!

[Trim]

^ No problem. He can't make way past Lahm, Lucio, Van Buyten or Sagnol

[Oliver_Kahn]

That's right.

Frei is a good striker, but Bayern's defence is strong and can take care of him.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has spoken of "Bayern's winter fairy-tale," Felix Magath is convinced his men can retain the Bundesliga crown, and captain Oliver Kahn is exuding optimism ahead of the second half of the domestic campaign. On the eve of the resumption of league hostilities away to Borussia Dortmund (Live in English from 8:15 pm Friday on FCB.tv Web Radio), the mood in the Bayern camp could hardly be more upbeat.

"It's about time we got back to battling for Bundesliga points. We intend to win them in large quantities from now on," a smiling Magath declared ahead of Friday's final training session. The playing and coaching staff alike are delighted and relieved that the mid-season break is at an end. "It's important we're returning to competitive action. Naturally, you can't get quite as excited about training, friendlies and nothing else," club captain Kahn agreed.

Keeper impressed by team-mates

Bayern have spent the last three weeks making ready to reel in their domestic rivals. If the statements put out by those involved are to be believed, the winter break has been a perfect tonic for the previously exhausted players. "The team has come on very, very well. The mood is tremendous. I'm convinced we're heading in the right direction," the head coach insisted.

The Reds contested four friendlies in January, hitting something close to peak form in the final warm-up last Saturday in Hamburg. "The football we played in the first half against Hamburg was something I've not seen for a very long time. We were unbelievably confident in possession, it was technically top drawer, and we played at pace. It's all looking extremely good," Kahn remarked, declaring himself "unconcerned" about the challenges lying ahead. "You can see we're a lot further on than we were before Christmas."

Van Buyten vows to send out a signal

Bayern are targeting Dortmund as the place where that progress will become apparent to the world at large. "It's important we send out a signal," defensive organiser Daniel van Buyten observed. The Belgian colossus is set to line up alongside Lucio at centre-half in front of a capacity 80,000 crowd at the Westfalen stadium. Magath is expecting great things from the Brazilian: "I believe as of now that Lucio will show us he's truly world-class."

Bayern will be close to full strength in Dortmund, with Valerien Ismaël (rehab) and Owen Hargreaves the only absentees. The England international has resumed training, but is not fully fit after his long injury lay-off. Otherwise the team is "in good condition. It's obvious we're in much better shape," Magath commented.

New Borussia boss calls for passion

The Bavarians will need a good display to emerge victorious from their trip to the Ruhr valley, where the arrival of experienced supremo Jürgen Rober has sparked visions of a new dawn in Dortmund and wiped the slate clean after a disappointing campaign to date. "There's nothing better than taking on Bayern," the new boss mused, calling for 100 percent commitment from his players. "I think we can beat them if we show the kind of passion which sets the place on fire. Determination can move mountains."

However, the champions are themselves spoiling for a fight. "We love pressure, we love a hostile atmosphere," Kahn insisted, reckoning that factor could prove an advantage for his team. "You really couldn't wish for a better return to action."

Probable line ups:

Borussia Dortmund: Weidenfeller - Degen, Brzenska, Metzelder, Dede - Kruska - Tinga, Kringe - Pienaar - Smolarek, Frei

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

Referee: Manuel Gräfe (Berlin)

Bayern's record in the fixture: P37 W11 D15 L11 F51 A57

[Trim]

Good starting line up. I hope Poldi and Karimi play aswell.

[Oliver_Kahn]

The expected line-up is our current best. Maybe Karimi instead of Brazzo.

I think Poldi will play in the second-half. 60min would be good for him.