Tag Archives: bastian

Bayern Munich hit Hamburg for NINE to continue procession to 23rd Bundesliga title

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Majestic Bayern hit Hamburg for NINE to continue Bundesliga title procession

PUBLISHED:

20:51 GMT, 30 March 2013

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UPDATED:

20:51 GMT, 30 March 2013

Brutal Bayern Munich produced a nine-goal annihilation of Hamburg to move to within one win of wrapping up the Bundesliga title.

Bayern smashed their opponents 9-2 at the Allianz Arena with Claudio Pizarro scoring four times and Arjen Robben twice.

Xherdan Shaqiri, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Franck Ribery were also on target for the rampant hosts, who led 5-0 at the break and refused to let up.

Four-some: Claudio Pizarro netted four times for the soon-to-be German champions

Four-some: Claudio Pizarro (centre) netted four times for the soon-to-be German champions

Sensational: Bayern dismantled their opponents with ease during tonight's nine goal drubbing

Sensational: Bayern dismantled their opponents with ease during tonight's nine goal drubbing

They did it all without leading scorer Mario Mandzukic, who was left on the bench ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final meeting with Juventus.

Hamburg's goals, from Jeffrey Bruma and Heiko Westermann, made it 8-1 and then 9-2 and did nothing to ease the misery.

The win moved Bayern 20 points clear of Borussia Dortmund with seven games to go and victory at Eintracht Frankfurt next Saturday will wrap up the title.

Dortmund kept Bayern waiting for another week at least by winning 2-1 at Stuttgart

Lukasz Piszczek gave Dortmund the lead in the 29th minute, but Alexandru Maxim's first Bundesliga goal brought the Swabians level before a red card to Georg Niedermeier tipped the scales back in Dortmund's favour.

Robert Lewandowski grabbed the winner eight minutes from time.

Bayer Leverkusen kept a strong hold on third with a 4-1 win at Fortuna Dusseldorf.

How many Arjen Robben scored two of the nine goals

How many Arjen Robben (right) scored two of the nine goals

Two goals apiece for Stefan Kiessling and Andre Schurrle ensured Leverkusen maintained a six-point cushion over Schalke.

The fifth goal in the game also came from a visiting player, Daniel Schwaab's own goal all Fortuna had to show for their efforts.

Schalke scored three times in the final 20 minutes to beat relegation-threatened Hoffenheim 3-0.

Marco Hoger broke the deadlock in the 71st minute before two substitutes, Raffael and Teemu Pukki, wrapped up the victory.

Mainz dropped three points behind Schalke as they had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen, despite going ahead after 12 seconds.

Adam Szalai gave Mainz a flying start, but Aaron Hunt earned Bremen a point.

Max Kruse scored twice as Freiburg moved ahead of Borussia Monchengladbach in the race for Europa League qualification with a 2-0 win.

Third-bottom Augsburg failed to improve their chances of avoiding the drop as they lost 2-0 at home to Hannover.

Konstantin Rausch scored both goals in the second half.

Euro 2012: Bastian Schweinsteiger fit for semi-final

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Boost for Germany as midfield maestro Schweinsteiger declares himself fit for semi-final

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UPDATED:

17:34 GMT, 27 June 2012

Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has confirmed he will be fit to face Italy in Thursday's Euro 2012 semi-final.

Schweinsteiger complained of a sore ankle after the last-eight win over Greece on Friday.

Knock: Schweinsteiger goes down holding his ankle after a challenge against Greece last week

Knock: Schweinsteiger goes down holding his ankle after a challenge against Greece last week

Euro 2012 email button

However, the Bayern Munich man has shrugged off the problem and will take his place in the German side aiming to record their first competitive win over Italy.

'I am 100 per cent fit and very much looking forward to the game,' he said.

'I have trained twice fully and I feel good.'

Coach Joachim Low is expected to bring back Arsenal new-boy Lukas Podolski, Thomas Muller and tournament top scorer Mario Gomez after surprisingly leaving all three players out of his starting line-up last time out.

Raring to go: Schweinsteiger sits alongside Germany coach Joachim Low in Wednesday's press conference

Raring to go: Schweinsteiger sits alongside Germany coach Joachim Low in Wednesday's press conference

Raring to go: Schweinsteiger sits alongside Germany coach Joachim Low in Wednesday's press conference

Low's decision to rest the trio raised an eyebrow.

But the Germany coach, whose side are on a world record run of 15 successive wins in competitive matches, is unrepentant.

'I don't make my decisions dependent on what could happen,' he said.

'I made my decision based on my own conviction.

'Before the Greece game I had the feeling in the last third of the game we had the right players who could play well against their defence.'

Germany v Greece – Euro 2012 live

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EURO 2012 LIVE: Germany v Greece – follow the quarter-final action as it happens

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UPDATED:

19:07 GMT, 22 June 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of Euro 2012 as Germany take on surprise package Greece at the PGE Arena in Gdansk for their quarter-final. Joachim Low's team surprised no one by topping Group B and are heavily fancied to progress ahead of the Greeks who overcame huge odds to finish runners-up in Group A ahead of Russia and Poland. Email me your thoughts on the match at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

Germany 0-0 Greece (7.45pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Germany: Neuer, Boateng, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Schweinsteiger, Khedira, Reus, Ozil, Schurrle, Klose.
Subs: Wiese, Gundogan, Schmelzer, Howedes, Podolski, Muller, Bender, Mertesacker, Kroos, Gotze, Gomez, Zieler.

Greece: Sifakis, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Tzavelas, Makos, Maniatis, Ninis, Katsouranis, Samaras, Salpingidis.
Subs: Chalkias, Malezas, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Fotakis, Gekas, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Tzorvas.

Referee: Damir Skomina (Slovenia)

20min: Greece will be happy that they haven't allowed Germany too many shots on goal so far.

Low's side are not showing much urgency right now but then Greece do still possess a threat on the counter attack.

17min: From InfostradaLive:

Greece are now the team with the most yellow cards this tournament: 10 yellow cards. Italy and Croatia are second with nine yellow cards.

14min: A few rough hand tactics from Greece as Girogos Samaras is booked after an unnecessary lunge on Bastian Schweinsteiger.

11min: Greece are ripped to shreds with a one-touch move, but are fortunate when Marco Reus's shot from 20 yards bounces up before he hits it and causes him to slice wide.

8min: That's a little better from the Greeks as they at least start to have some possession in Germany's half. No chances since the correctly disallowed goal.

5min: And Germany already find the back of the net. Michalis Sifakis spills Sami Khedira's shot, but Andrea Schurrle is offside as he taps home the rebound. Very shaky start from the Greeks.

3min: Interesting game plan from the Germans. They are allowing the Greek centre-backs to have the ball but as soon as the ball is passed anywhere else they are instantly pressing.

Battle: Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Greece's Giannis Maniatis vie for the ball

Battle: Germany's Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Greece's Giannis Maniatis vie for the ball

Kick-off: Greece get us going.

19.43: Probably predictably, the German anthem is given a few jeers at the start.

In the stands, German chancellor Angela Merkel is sat next to UEFA president Michel Platini.

19.40: It will sure be interesting if they are still drawing at half-time. Meanwhile on the pitch both teams make their way out.

19.36: So how much hope are we giving Greece Can they get away with the same containing game that saw them squeeze through Group A

I think we can expect a similar pattern to the Czech Republic v Portugal game last night, where the Czechs were pretty much camped in their own half. It will be hard to see the Greeks making half-time goalless though but we will wait and see.

All smiles: German Chancellor Angela Merkel (green) speaks with UEFA president Michel Platini

All smiles: German Chancellor Angela Merkel (green) speaks with UEFA president Michel Platini

19.31: Germany have had slip ups in in the group stage of major tournaments in recent years, but there was to be no errors this time around.

They impressively won the group of death that contained Holland, Portugal and Denmark with maximum points – matching their 100 per cent record of 10 out of 10 wins in qualifying…can anyone stop them

19.26: From InfostradaLive:

Philipp Lahm will be making his 13th appearance in a ECh match tonight, equalling the team record by Jurgen Klinsmann and Thomas Hassler.

19.23: However I feel that statistic might be wrong. I swear I have seen Greece defeat Germany before…in Munich too.

19.20: So in more than one way, Greece are up against it tonight. They have never beaten Germany in eight previous games with their last meeting coming in 2001 when the Germans won 4-2 in a World Cup qualifier.

19.15: From OptaJoe:

21 – Before tonight, excluding third place play-offs, Lukas Podolski had started Germany's last 21 games at major tournaments. Omitted.

19.10: So as you can see from the pictures below this is more than a game to the Greeks. Their financial state and political friction with Germany was always going to provide a sub-plot to this match – let's just hope it doesn't boil over on the pitch.

19.05: Well Joachim Low's caught us napping there. That's four changes to the Germany side as Jerome Boateng returns from suspension to take his place in defence while Marco Reus, Andre Schurrle and Miroslav Klose replace Thomas Muller, Mario Gomez and Lukas Podolski.

Guys and dolls: A steward inside the PGE Arena in Gdansk attempts to confiscate a doll that depicts German chancellor Angela Merkel from the Greek supporters

Guys and dolls: A steward inside the PGE Arena in Gdansk attempts to confiscate a doll that depicts German chancellor Angela Merkel from the Greek supporters

Guys and dolls: A steward inside the PGE Arena in Gdansk attempts to confiscate a doll that depicts German chancellor Angela Merkel from the Greek supporters

19.00: The teams in full from Gdansk:

Greece: Sifakis, Maniatis, Tzavellas, Papadopoulos, Torossidis, Papastathopoulos, Makos, Ninis, Katsouranis, Samaras, Salpingidis.
Subs: Chalkias, Tzorvas, Malezas, Fotakis, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Gekas.

Germany: Neuer, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Boateng, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Schurrle, Reus, Klose.
Subs: Wiese, Zieler, Schmelzer, Howedes, Mertesacker, Gundogan, Muller, Bender, Kroos, Gotze, Podolski, Gomez.

18.55: Germany starting XI:

Neuer, Hummels, Badstuber, Lahm, Boateng, Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Ozil, Schurrle, Reus, Klose

18.50: Hands up, who has gone and stuck their life savings on Germany reaching the semi-finals tonight

I can't blame you if you have, this has got to be the biggest mis-match in a European Championship quarter-final since France took on Greece in Euro 2004………right, on second thoughts I'm glad I didn't place that bet now.

Back in the side: Miroslav Klose makes his first start in the tournament for Germany

Back in the side: Miroslav Klose makes his first start in the tournament for Germany

Euro 2012 England"s Steven Gerrard and Scott Parker must rotate against Sweden Martin Keown

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Martin Keown: The midfield mustn't hesitate – let's rotate Gerrard and Parker

PUBLISHED:

21:32 GMT, 14 June 2012

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UPDATED:

22:28 GMT, 14 June 2012

Germany didn’t use two holding midfielders against Holland — Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger rotated, with one sitting and the other venturing forward, so they always had an extra man in the final third.

England should do the same with Scott Parker and Steven Gerrard, as well as with their wingers, who don’t have to track back all the time. We must gamble a bit.

Rotation policy: Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger were fluid against Holland

Rotation policy: Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger were fluid against Holland

Swedes are in a stew

If England believe in themselves, they should win because Sweden’s defence is poor. Against Ukraine, Blackburn’s Martin Olsson looked dreadful and Olof Mellberg was outpaced by Andriy Shevchenko. Danny Welbeck will fancy his chances and Ashley Young should cause panic.

Tormented: Andriy Shevchenko (right) gave Olof Mellberg a hell of a time - and so can England

Tormented: Andriy Shevchenko (right) gave Olof Mellberg a hell of a time – and so can England

Ox can be a fox in box

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has great imagination, even if not everything he tried came off against France. But when it does start clicking, he will become a great player for England. Roy Hodgson was brave to start him in the first game and he should stick with him, although he may revert to 4-4-2 with Andy Carroll up front. The Ox can grow during the Euros but England must nurse him through.

Euro 2012: Bastian Schweinsteiger says he is fit

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I'm fine, boss! Schweinsteiger gives Germany manager Low good news

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UPDATED:

18:55 GMT, 6 June 2012

Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has given head coach Joachim Low a major boost by revealing he has shaken off a calf complaint.

Schweinsteiger was a worry for Euro 2012 after struggling with the injury but returned to full training on Monday with the rest of the national side.

And the 27-year-old has suffered no reaction, telling dfb.de: 'I'm fine. It's fun to play with such a team.'

Ready to go: Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) says he is fit

Ready to go: Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) says he is fit

Euro 2012 email button

Schweinsteiger, looking to add to his 90 caps for Germany, missed the opening warm-up defeat against Switzerland two weeks ago due to the injury after linking up with the squad following Bayern Munich's Champions League defeat against Chelsea.

Germany arrived in Poland ahead of the European Championship on Monday and will remain in the country despite all three group matches being held in Ukraine.

The Euro 2008 runners-up start their campaign against Portugal on June 9, with further games against Holland and Denmark.

Euro 2012: Bastian Schweinsteiger fit

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Schweinsteiger wins race to be fit for for Germany's opener against Portugal

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UPDATED:

21:30 GMT, 4 June 2012

Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has recovered from a thigh injury.

The Bayern Munich star, who was injured in the Champions League final against Chelsea, missed Thursday’s 2-0 warm-up win over Israel.

All clear: Bastian Schweinsteiger will feature for Germany at Euro 2012

All clear: Bastian Schweinsteiger will feature for Germany at Euro 2012

Philipp Lahm: Frank Ribery is key for Bayern Munich

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Lahm backs Ribery to lead Munich to Champions League glory against Chelsea

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UPDATED:

14:17 GMT, 18 May 2012

Franck Ribery could be the key to ending Bayern Munich's 11-year wait for Champions League glory, according to their captain Philipp Lahm.

The German club were close to succeeding two years ago when they were beaten by Inter Milan in the Madrid final, but unlike on that night when Ribery was suspended, the Frenchman will be available to face Chelsea on Saturday night.

That, according to Lahm, is the biggest difference between then and now.

Main men: Bayern's Philipp Lahm, Jerome Boateng and Franck Ribery join in training

Main men: Bayern's Philipp Lahm, Jerome Boateng and Franck Ribery join in training

'He is an excellent footballer and he is a player who can decide games, we all know that,' said Lahm.

'He missed out two years ago so will be particularly motivated tomorrow.

'He has already proven many times how important he is to us.

'We all have the hunger to win this cup and it will be a difficult task and Franck will make his contribution tomorrow for us to win.'

Those words were echoed by Bayern's vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has further questioned the suspension ruling which deprives his side of Luiz Gustavo, Holger Badstuber and David Alaba for tomorrow's final while Chelsea have to make do without Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles and Ramires, who also picked up second yellow cards in the semi-final.

'I think it can be decisive that Ribery, who was suspended back then, will be back,' said the 27-year-old.

Fighting fit: Ribery missed Bayern's Champions League final defeat to Inter in 2010

Fighting fit: Ribery missed Bayern's Champions League final defeat to Inter in 2010

'For me personally, he is an excellent player who can make the difference.

'I personally think it would have been better if all the players, both for Chelsea and for us, were on board.

'Sadly the rules are such that these players are suspended in the final.

'I think it is not optimal, but both teams have the same number of suspended players so it is the same for both sides.'

What certainly will not be the same for both sides is the familiarity of the venue, with Chelsea entering uncharted waters for them – their last visit to Munich in 2005 was the last European fixture at the Olympiastadion – while Bayern enjoy the hitherto unique opportunity of vying for the biggest prize in club football in their own back yard.

For Lahm, being involved in a Champions League final just a stone's throw from where he took his first footballing steps as a six-year-old with FT Gern is further motivation.

Smiles better: Philipp Lahm (left) believes Franck Ribery will be crucial to Bayern's hopes of beating Chelsea

Smiles better: Philipp Lahm (left) believes Franck Ribery will be crucial to Bayern's hopes of beating Chelsea

'I was born in Munich, I grew up in Munich, Bayern is my home-town team and I joined the club as an 11 year old, so I am really at home here,' he said.

'It is being called the final at home, and for me it really is at home.'

The pre-match build-up will also be particularly familiar to Bayern.

'We can stay in our usual hotel, where we stay every week or every few days,' added Lahm.

'We know the dressing rooms, we are basically at our own home and we will have the same preparation for this game as we have had for any other Champions League game.'

That preparation will include the usual detailed analysis of the opponents, but Lahm does not need to be told too much about Didier Drogba, who was on target when the sides met at the Olympiastadion seven years ago.

'We all know that Drogba is an absolutely sensational player,' he said.

In charge: Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes (centre) takes his side through training

In charge: Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes (centre) takes his side through training

'We know of his physical strength and that it is going to be a physical game, but we are a strong team and I cannot see there being any problems.'

Lahm did identify one potential problem in the desire of Chelsea's elder statesman to take what could be their last shot at Champions League glory.

'Chelsea have also been in the final before and some of their players have already played in it, and for many from Chelsea's point of view, it could be their last chance to win this,' he said.

'We are all in our best footballing prime and can play together for a few more years.'

Pressure did not seem to be particularly manifest, though, as Schweinsteiger and Lahm cut very relaxed figures on the eve of one of the most important games of their careers.

'I was thinking that we should just go for a walk in the city centre and mingle among the fans,' said Schweinsteiger, who added without a hint of modesty: 'I read the paper a lot, I like to read about myself, it is quite amusing.

'We know how to deal with such situations as we have played in them before.

'We just have to concentrate on the 90 minutes. These 90 minutes on the field will be decisive.

'We have got to be focused because you can't influence the things goings on around you.'

Champions League Final 2012: Bayern Munich"s route to the final

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Bayern Munich v Chelsea: How the Germans got to the Champions League final

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UPDATED:

10:55 GMT, 13 May 2012

Bayern Munich reached the Champions League final following a thrilling penalty shoot-out victory over Real Madrid in the semi-finals.

Here, Sportsmail looks at all of the fixtures on Bayern's route to the final in their home stadium on May 19.

Party time: Bayern Munich celebrate their semi-final win over Real Madrid

Party time: Bayern Munich celebrate their semi-final win over Real Madrid

Play-off Round

Bayern Munich 2 FC Zurich 0, August 17, 2011

Bastian Schweinsteiger opened the scoring for the Germans in the eighth minute in a game that the hosts then dominated. Despite a number of missed chances winger Arjen Robben doubled the lead in the second half. Zurich then had defender Mathieu Beda sent off late on.

FC Zurich 0 Bayern Munich 1 (0-3), August 23, 2011

Another early goal, this time from Mario Gomez sealed Bayern's progression into the group stages. New signing Manuel Neuer was tested a couple of times but proved his worth by keeping another clean sheet.

Group A

Villarreal 0 Bayern Munich 2, September 14, 2011

Bayern shattered the Spanish side's decent run of home form in European competitions and again it was courtesy of another early goal. Toni Kroos opened the scoring after seven minutes as the visitors took control of the match. Brazil full-back Rafinha added another in the second half to secure the three points.

Dominant: Bayern were in complete control against Manchester City

Dominant: Bayern were in complete control against Manchester City

Bayern Munich 2 Manchester City 0, September 27, 2011

Two goals at the end of the first half from Gomez saw Jupp Heynckes' side ease to victory against Manchester City. The first was a poacher's effort and he doubled the scoreline as he collected the scraps following Daniel van Buyten's header. England goalkeeper Joe Hart made a string of second-half saves to keep the scoreline down.

Napoli 1 Bayern Munich 1, October 19, 2011

Bayern dropped their first points of the group stage in Italy, despite Kroos giving them a second-minute lead following a pinpoint Jerome Boateng cross. Napoli's equaliser came courtesy of a Holger Badstuber own goal before Gomez saw his second-half penalty saved by goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis.

Bayern Munich 3 Napoli 2, November 2, 2011

Germany international Gomez made up for his penalty miss in Naples by firing a first-half hat-trick in the return fixture a fortnight later. Heynckes was left fretting on the touchline during the second half as Federico Fernandez converted two headers after the interval. Both sides finished with 10 men as Juan Zuniga was sent-off for Napoli and Badstuber saw red for Bayern.

Bayern Munich 3 Villarreal 1, November 22, 2011

Bayern secured top-spot in Group A with a clinical display against Villarreal at the Allianz Arena. Franck Ribery scored after three minutes with Gomez adding a second before the break. The visitors looked to be back in the game when Jonathan de Guzman pulled on back but a second from Ribery confirmed progression for the four-time winners.

No need to panic: Bayern had secured top spot before losing to City

No need to panic: Bayern had secured top spot before losing to City

Manchester City 2 Bayern Munich 0, December 7, 2011

Heynckes made several changes with his side already assured of finishing top of the group and they were made to pay by a City side who still had the possibility of sneaking ahead of Napoli into second place. Goals from David Silva and Yaya Toure either side of half-time earned Roberto Mancini's side the win but they still exited the tournament.

1st Knockout Round

Basel 1 Bayern Munich 0, February 22, 2012

Bayern's prize for finishing as group winners was a seemingly easy tie against one of the tournament's surprise packages Basel. The Swiss side were not over-awed by their opponents in the opening leg and a late Valentin Stocker goal gave the reigning Swiss champions a first-leg advantage to take to Germany.

Bayern Munich 7 FC Basel 0 (7-1), March 13, 2012

That solitary Stocker goal would prove completely inadequate to help Basel cause a huge upset in the tie as Bayern over-ran their opponents in the second leg. Robben scored the first and last goals of the rout as Gomez bagged four goals with Thomas Muller also adding his name to the scoresheet.

Rout: Bayern tore Basel to pieces to reach the quarter-final stage

Rout: Bayern tore Basel to pieces to reach the quarter-final stage

Quarter-Finals

Marseille 0 Bayern Munich 2, March 28, 2012

Robben was the star of the show as Bayern took a huge step towards the final four of the competition with a comfortable victory in France. The Holland winger set up Gomez to open the scoring on the stroke of half-time before helping himself to a sublime second as the German giants took control of the tie.

Bayern Munich 2 Marseille 0, April 3, 2012

Ivica Olic's 13th-minute goal put to bed any doubts of a Marseille fightback in the second leg and the Croatia forward completed his brace seven minutes before half-time to set up a mouthwatering semi-final clash with Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid.

Semi-Finals

Bayern Munich 2 Real Madrid 1, April 17, 2012

Mourinho had masterminded Inter Milan's Champions League final victory over Bayern in 2010 but the semi-final would remain in the balance following a tense first leg. Ribery gave the hosts an early lead before Mesut Ozil levelled for Real just after half-time. With the game seemingly heading to a deadlock, Gomez popped up with his 12th Champions League goal of the season in the last minute to give Bayern a lead to take to the Bernabeu.

Advantage: Franck Ribery helped Bayern to a 2-1 first-leg lead against Real

Advantage: Franck Ribery helped Bayern to a 2-1 first-leg lead against Real

Real Madrid 2 Bayern Munich 1 (3-3, Bayern win 3-1 on pens), 25 April, 2012

That first-leg lead was soon extinguished as Cristiano Ronaldo looked to take centre stage. The Portugal winger opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the sixth minute after David Alaba was adjudged to have handled the ball. Ronaldo then doubled Real's lead with a coolly taken finish with less than 15 minutes on the clock. Pepe then fouled Gomez inside the area and Robben tucked away his spot-kick to level the match.

The scoreline remained that way until the end of extra-time and a penalty shootout would determined who would play Chelsea in the final. Ronaldo and Kaka missed Real's opening two penalties while Alaba and Gomez converted for Bayern. Kroos and Philipp Lahm then failed with their efforts but despite Xabi Alonso scoring his Spain team-mate Sergio Ramos skied his effort and Schweinsteiger stepped up to score the winning penalty, putting Bayern into the final in Munich.

Champions League final: Bayern must recover from Dortmund defeat

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Bayern vow to bounce back for Champions League final with Chelsea after cup final thrashing

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UPDATED:

08:42 GMT, 13 May 2012

Bayern Munich admit they must recover quickly from their 5-2 humiliation by Borussia Dortmund if they are to have any chance of beating Chelsea in the Champions League final.

The Bundesliga runners-up suffered an embarrassingly heavy defeat at the hands of double-winning Dortmund in the German Cup final on Saturday.

It was their fifth straight loss to their rivals, and came just a week before they take on Roberto Di Matteo's men in their own Allianz Arena for Europe's top prize.

Dejected: Arjen Robben reacts to Bayern Munich's heavy defeat

Dejected: Arjen Robben reacts to Bayern Munich's heavy defeat

'Obviously this defeat is very painful,' disappointed Dutch winger Arjen Robben said.

'It is frustrating and we need to process this quickly because from Monday onwards, there is only one direction and that is the Champions League final.'

While Bayern have been sensational in their run towards what could be a fifth European crown, they have played second fiddle to Dortmund in Germany all season.

An error-strewn performance, where sloppy mistakes gifted Dortmund three of their five goals, did little to boost their confidence ahead of what is the biggest match of the season and the only way to rescue their campaign with some silverware.

Must do better: Bayern must recover quickly ahead of their final against Chelsea

Must do better: Bayern must recover quickly ahead of their final against Chelsea

'It was our own fault. Only we are to blame for losing the league and cup titles,' playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger said.

Mistakes such as Luiz Gustavo's back pass that led to Dortmund's opener and keeper Manuel Neuer's failure to hold on to the ball that allowed Robert Lewandowski to complete his hat-trick could prove equally as costly against Chelsea.

'Every goal was a slap in the face. It was an embarrassment but we need to draw the lessons from this defeat quickly,' Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added.

Down and out: Chelsea will hope to take advantage of the poor result

Down and out: Chelsea will hope to take advantage of the poor result

Coach Jupp Heynckes, who fielded a full-strength team against Dortmund, knows it will be even harder against Chelsea as left back David Alaba, central defender Holger Badstuber and midfielder Gustavo are suspended for the final.

'The game against Chelsea will be a completely different game,' assured Heynckes, who led Real Madrid to Champions League victory in 1998.

'Obviously my players are disappointed but we will have recovered from this shock by next week. We cannot allow ourselves the same mistakes.'

Jupp Heynckes surprised at late Roy Hodgson appointment

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It wouldn't happen in Germany! Bayern coach Heynckes surprised at Hodgson appointment

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UPDATED:

07:16 GMT, 4 May 2012

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes cannot imagine Germany spending three months without a manager as England did.

The Football Association this week named Roy Hodgson as Fabio Capello's successor, ending a period of uncertainty for the national team following the Italian's departure in February.

New man: Roy Hodgson was appointed England manager earlier this week

New man: Roy Hodgson was appointed England manager earlier this week

But Heynckes, whose side face Chelsea in
the Champions League final, believes such a delay, which has left
Hodgson with little more than a month to prepare for Euro 2012, would be
unthinkable in Germany.

'No, I cannot imagine that this delay would happen in Germany,' he was quoted as saying by The Sun. 'Absolutely not because we have a totally different mentality.

'I don't think it would be possible in Germany.

'They would have sorted it out way, way before. Whether it's with a club or a national team, when one manager finishes, the next day the new one is presented.'

Surprised: Heynckes thinks Germany would not have left it so late appoint a manager

Surprised: Heynckes thinks Germany would not have left it so late appoint a manager

Heynckes, who won the Champions League with Real Madrid back in 1998, also admitted he was surprised the FA had chosen Hodgson over Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp.

'I don't know him well. But I've followed the discussions and also heard the opinions of the national team players and they would have preferred the Tottenham manager,' he said.

'But as often with national associations, they don't listen.

'To be the manager of the English national team is not that easy. What do I know Maybe there were difficulties, or problems with Redknapp.'

Stirring it up: Heynckes also says he was surprised Redknapp was not appointed

Stirring it up: Heynckes also says he was surprised Redknapp was not appointed

His sense of surprise was echoed by Bayern and Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Midfielder Schweinsteiger said: 'The work Redknapp has done at Tottenham is perfect. The other one, I don't know.

'I hope he will bring the national team of England back to the top because it is a footballing nation and England should be one of the top teams in the world.'