Must-win moment
Make-or-break for FCB as Schalke visit Munich
29.04.2011
If football adhered to logical sequences, Bayern would be exactly where they want to be - third in the Bundesliga – by half-past eight on Saturday evening. The champions have oscillated between fourth and third place every matchday for the last five weeks, but the men from Munich have no intention of relying on mathematics. “We have to invest everything we’ve got in the last three games,” urged Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “Over the last few weeks, every interview given by every player has included the statement that none of them has any desire to play in the Europa League, and all of them are desperate for the Champions League next season. I’m making the team responsible for hitting that target.”
The next episode in the tussle with Hannover for third spot takes place on Saturday. The men from Lower Saxony start a point ahead of FCB, and entertain Mönchengladbach in the afternoon. In the evening (Live in English from 6.30 pm CET on FCB.tv Web Radio), Bayern host Schalke at the Allianz Arena. “Hannover could drop points,” noted Philipp Lahm, “but it’ll be all for nothing if we don’t win our matches. We have to focus on ourselves.”
Last week’s 1-1 draw with Frankfurt has changed nothing in that respect, advised coach Andries Jonker. “The challenge remains the same. We have to win our matches.” After watching his men in training this week, the boss is confident of success. “There’s life and fire in the team. The players are showing unbelievable passion in training, they don’t need motivating or encouraging. It's vital we show that in the match.”
It worked very well a fortnight ago in the 5-1 victory over Leverkusen. Bastian Schweinsteiger demanded “utter determination to win” against Schalke. “We have to be demonstrating our desire from the off. We have to really want the victory.” Bayern are without the suspended Luiz Gustavo, but welcome back Arjen Robben from a two-match ban.
Responsibility with the stars
The winger will be asked to take a starring role against Schalke. “He’s world-class,” said Jonker, “he has to deliver. We need him to perform.” Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi showed the way in the midweek Champions League semi-finals. “The mark of a star is that he delivers when it matters,” commented the interim coach, although he urged all the team and not just Robben to rise to the occasion. “We have a collection of stars actually. The moment’s come for them to show what they’re made of.”
Apropos Champions League, Schalke fell 2-0 at home to Rooney and Manchester United last Tuesday, and travel to Old Trafford for the return next Wednesday. Will that affect the Royal Blues at the Allianz Arena? Maybe, Jonker said, while noting that Bayern versus Schalke was “always a special fixture. I’m sure Schalke will want to look their best at the Allianz Arena. I’m expecting them to be totally motivated, although it’s hard for them in between the home and away legs against United.”
Score to settle
S04 coach Ralf Rangnick called on his men “to build up confidence ready for the challenge in Manchester. We want to give a good account of ourselves and come away with a result.” The Royal Blues have beaten FCB twice this term, 2-0 in the Bundesliga and 1-0 in the cup, keeping a clean sheet with a mixture of skill and good fortune, and using their rare chances at the other end on both occasions.
The Bayern camp is not expecting the visitors to abandon their fundamentally defensive approach. “Schalke won’t exactly tear into us. They’ll try to hit us from set plays and on the break. They’re good at that,” said Schweinsteiger. The fact of a score to settle was of minor importance, the midfielder insisted. “The situation in the Bundesliga is more important than revenge.”
Credit: FC Bayern Munich (www.fcbayern.t-com.de)
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