Bayern Munich will be Werdedr Bremen's opponent in the Premiere League Cu final on Saturday, 05.08.2006 at 6pm at the 'Zentralstadion' in Leipzig.
Bayern Munich will be Werdedr Bremen's opponent in the Premiere League Cu final on Saturday, 05.08.2006 at 6pm at the 'Zentralstadion' in Leipzig.
Bayern Munich will be Werdedr Bremen's opponent in the Premiere League Cu final on Saturday, 05.08.2006 at 6pm at the 'Zentralstadion' in Leipzig. A 4:1 penalty shoot out win against Schalke on Wedenesday night was enough to seal a cup final spot for the German champions. The last meeting of the two ended in a 3:0 win for the eventual league runner-up from Bremen.
Schaaf: "We want to prove our performance from the HSV game was no fluke"
"I expect a good game and a good test for our team", explained Thomas Schaaf of the League Cup tie - a cup that he very much wants to bring back to the Weser Stadium this year. "We always want to win, especially if we're in a final", said Schaaf. If the Green-Whites are to win this one though then they will need to produce just as good a performance as they did against Hamburg SV. Schaaf: "We want to continue what we began in the semi-final." To prove that the performance was no fluke and at the same time "Lay down the gauntlet in a prestigous duel" is the task that the determined Tim Borowski sees ahead: "This is about winning a title, noone wants to leave the pitch as a loser", admitted the 26 year old.
Magath eyeing the title
Munich, who have won the title five times since it's initiation in 1997, are also determined no to lose the final against last seasons closest rivals: "There's too much money at steak for that", explained Bayern's Hasan Salihamidzic. Trainer Felix Magath added: "The League Cup was always a symbol for us that we would have a good season. That's why we want to win the title this time around."
For Bayern Munich, the clash against their most avid challenger in recent years, will be an important tie on which to measure their current position having lost such important players as Michael Ballack (moved to Chelsea), Paolo Guerrero (to HSV) Jens Jeramies and Bixente Lizarazu (finished careers). Still, Thomas Schaaf is not about to underestimate Bayern: "They always have a strong team together", commented the 46 year old and took into account the new sig´nings they've made with Daniel van Buyten from HSV as well as Lukas Podolski and Christian Lell (both FC Cologne) who can compensate for the departures.
Just like Werder, Bayern also have a tough pre-season preperation programme behind them, altogether playing seven friendlies - just one less than Werder. The double-double winner played TSV 02 Berching (12:0), Racing Straßburg (0:2), FC Aschheim (12:1) from the Bezirksliga, Bayern league side SpVgg Bayreuth (5:2), LASK Linz (1:1), no-league FC Rottach (14:1) and Urawa Red Diamonds (0:1).
Injury worries for Munich
Bayern coach Felix Magath will most likely have to make do without the services of Andreas Görlitz (Knee problems), Sebastian Deisler (Rehab after knee injury), Valerién Ismaël (Shin operation), Claudio Pizarro (Muscle sinew tear) and Christian Lell (ligament damage in left shoulder). Lucio's involvement is also in question having had to pull out of the Tokyo trip with a back problem but the Brazilian international returned to team training on Tuesday. Currently Thomas Schaaf is spoiled for choice with his complete squad available.
Johnnie Muldoon
