MD 18: Borussia Dortmund 3 - 2 Bayern München

[Oliver_Kahn]

A game that Bayern need to win.

Bayern are in third place:

1 Werder Bremen 36
2 FC Schalke 04 36
3 Bayern München 33
4 VfB Stuttgart 32
5 Hertha BSC Berlin 27

[Oliver_Kahn]

This is a must win game.

[Oliver_Kahn]

An embarrassing moment threatened Daniel van Buyten and Lucio during Saturday's friendly in Hamburg, as the central defensive pair rose in unison on the edge of the home six-yard box in pursuit of a pinpoint Philipp Lahm cross. Lucio just pipped his team-mate to the ball, nodding home the goal which sealed Bayern's 2-0 win.

"We both wanted to score," Van Buyten smiled on a TV magazine show last Monday. The Belgian international desperately wanted a goal against his former club, "but obviously, I'm delighted for Lucio," he observed.

Better lines of communication

The centre-halves were both perfectly positioned in the move on Saturday, but that was not always the case in the first half of the season, as the pair occasionally struggled to establish an effective partnership. Bayern shipped more goals than is customary at the club, as gaps opened up at the heart of defence. "There were a few games where we had problems with our communication," Van Buyten conceded.

During the mid-season break, the pair have invested plenty of time in fixing that deficit. "Naturally we're trying to talk more and make sure the basics come automatically. We want more solidity. It worked a lot better in Hamburg, where we showed much better understanding," the Belgian colossus remarked.

Preventing goals the priority

The defensive duo have also established ground rules regarding who goes forward to support the team's attacking efforts, and when. "We're defenders, so the priority is stopping goals and keeping a clean sheet. We'll start going forward only when the match situation allows it." Set plays will be the exception to the rule: "It's better if we both go forward than neither of us," Van Buyten reflected.

The summer signing from Hamburg, who has played every minute of every competitive match for Bayern so far this term, is determined to taste success in the second half of the season. "It'll be a lot better for all of us from now on. We'll give answers on the pitch." Bayern fans will hope that resolution holds true away to Borussia Dortmund this Friday.

[Oliver_Kahn]

The exceptionally mild winter up to now has ruined many a plan for traditional skiing holidays in Bavaria, but the scene took on a much more familiar January look at the Säbener Strasse on Tuesday, as the ground staff unpacked the snow shovels for the first time this season. Seven centimetres of the frozen white stuff covered the training ground in the morning, prompted a party comprising a dozen members of staff and youth players - and the more mature figure of reserve coach Hermann Gerland - to invest two hours in clearing pitch number 1 for the senior squad.

"It was to be expected that we'd have a real winter at some point," local boy Andreas Ottl remarked. The 21-year-old even uncovered a positive side to the slippery, wet conditions: "It'll be very similar to this on Friday," he remarked.

Friday is when Bayern reopen their Bundesliga campaign with a tricky away trip to Uefa Cup hopefuls Borussia Dortmund. Reporters, fans, so-called experts and all manner of pundits have begun speculating on the composition of the Munich side for the clash in the Ruhr valley. fcbayern.de surveys the various potential formations open to the reigning champions.

Defence:
Club captain Oliver Kahn is certain to take his place between the sticks, with Philipp Lahm, Daniel van Buyten and Willy Sagnol also definite starters. The French right-back has been struggling with a calf problem of late, but came through the full training programme on Tuesday without any reaction and should be fit for the match. A question mark remains over who will partner Van Buyten at centre-half, although Lucio will probably get the nod ahead of Martin Demichelis, as the Aregentine has been laid low with back pain recently.

Midfield:
The engine room is the area of the park where coach Felix Magath has most work to do in sorting his available options. The boss has tried out two different systems in recent weeks: a diamond shape, which the Reds used to good advantage in the run-up to Christmas, and the alternative of two holding midfielders, the preferred system at the start of the season.

Magath as usual declined to drop any hints regarding his thinking for Friday, but in terms of the names on the team sheet, Mark van Bommel, Hasan Salihamidzic and Bastian Schweinsteiger must be close to certainties. Schweini missed Tuesday's training session with a cold, but is expected to join Wednesday's workout as normal.

The fourth midfield berth remains up for grabs. Magath's declared preference would be for Owen Hargreaves, but the England utility man only resumed team training 10 days ago after a long lay-off with a broken fibula, and did not appear in any winter friendly. A much more likely option would be Ottl in front of the back four, with Demichelis another defensive specialist should the head coach go for the double holding midfielder variant.

Attack:
With Lukas Podolski only resuming training on Tuesday following a dead leg, Claudio Pizarro is the clear favourite to partner Roy Makaay up front.

Bayern's first starting line-up of the year 2007 will of course only become clear in reality approximately half an hour before the 8:30 pm kick-off this Friday. Until then, the Säbener Strasse snow-clearing parties look likely to have their work cut out, as weather forecasters are predicting more snow over Munich for the rest of the week.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Bayern's team should look like this:

......................Oliver Kahn
Sagnol.......Lucio........van Buyten........Lahm
...........................Ottl
....................van Bommel
......Salihamidzic.......................Schweini
................Makaay.......Pizarro

[Oliver_Kahn]

I'm confident ahead of this game, Bayern haven't lost at Dortmund since 2001

[Peddi_Kahn]

we win with 3 goals
makaay-pizza-bommel

[Oliver_Kahn]

That would be great.

I say 2-1, Makaay with a brace

[Trim]

No matter who scores, no matter what's the result. I just want 3 points. And I'm sure we will get them. If we play like we played in Hamburg a few days ago, we will definately win it. The team has improved a lot thanks to the long break.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Right, I also want the 3 pts.

Indeed, the break was very good, but there's also one player that is making the difference. And that player is, Ali Karimi.

[Trim]

^ Yea, I noticed that. And it's interesting that his improvement comes right after the team declared he can leave. I hope he doesn't. Lets keep him for a while.

[Oliver_Kahn]

With Brazzo levaing and Deisler retireing, Karimi and Schweini will be the only wingers we'll have next season.

I like Karimi and I think he should stay, at least one more season.

[Trim]

^ Next season, new arrivals.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Some say Frank Ribery. What do you think ?

[Trim]

^ Yea, I heard that.
I think I'll see Ribery wearing our #7 jersey.
The Marseille president said if Ribery plans to leave their team in the summer, Bayern will be noticed first, before other teams. So with that advantage, and with a good offer, he could be ours.