Bayern back Butt amid Neuer interest

February 27, 2010

Hans-Joerg Butt, seen here in 2009, will continue as Bayern Munich´s first-choice goalkeeper next season, club president Uli Hoeness announced on Friday, despite their continuing interest in Manuel Neuer
Hans-Joerg Butt will continue as Bayern Munich’s first-choice goalkeeper next season, club president Uli Hoeness announced on Friday, despite their continuing interest in Manuel Neuer.

Butt, 35, recently extended his contract with the Bavarian giants until June 2011 but the club were strongly linked with Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer during the last summer transfer window.

“Our intention for next season is very clear, it’s to keep Joerg Butt as number one,” Hoeness said at a public meeting reported on by tabloid Bild.

Concerning the foiled bid for Neuer, who — unlike Butt — will be a part of Germany’s squad at this summer’s World Cup in South Africa, Hoeness explained that he had been refused “any negotiations in that regard” by Schalke, adding: “We accepted this position”.

Hoeness did hint, however, that a fresh move for Neuer would be on the cards in the near future.

“We won’t let him slip through our fingers,” Hoeness added. “What’s more, he has a girlfriend in Munich, which is rather convenient.”

BERLIN (AFP)

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Honours even as Bayern held by Juventus

October 1, 2009


Bayern Munich were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Group A rivals Juventus on Wednesday, which left the frustrated German giants sharing the top of the table with group rivals Bordeaux.

Bayern created a string of chances in the first half and ended the game with 14 shots on target compared to the Italians’ seven, but Louis van Gaal’s side failed to break the Juventus defence.

“We did not win and it’s not every week that we can say: ‘We could have won’ – simple as that,” said van Gaal bluntly, while praising striker Miroslav Klose for a “very good performance”.

“We have to score goals to win and we created so many chances to win, so it is a pity we didn’t get a result and we are very disappointed.

“But if we continue to play in such a way, it is only a question of time before the results go our way.”

With Maccabi Haifa losing 1-0 at Bordeaux, Bayern stay top of the table only by virtue of a superior goal difference compared to the French champions, who they will meet in the next round of matches.

Van Gaal opted to start Germany star Miroslav Klose as the lone striker with Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery – dubbed ‘Robbery’ by the German media – on the wings in a 4-3-3 formation.

In defence, 20-year-old Holger Badstuber partnered Belgium’s Daniel van Buyten at centre-back with Germany’s Philipp Lahm and Holland’s Edson Braafheid on the flanks.

Juventus coach Ciro Ferrara opted for his customary 4-4-2 with France’s David Trezeguet partnering Italian World Cup winner Vincenzo Iaquinta up front.

The sides had experienced mixed fortunes in their opening games, with Bayern winning 3-0 at Maccabi while Juve drew 1-1 at home to Bordeaux.

The Germans threatened in the opening minutes when 20-year-old midfielder Thomas Mueller fired across the face of the goal, but his effort went wide, while Trezeguet picked up an early card.

Brazil’s ex-Werder Bremen midfielder Diego then fired straight at Bayern goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt on 18 minutes, but seconds later Ribery beat two defenders only to float his shot over both goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and the crossbar.

Just before the half-hour mark, Mueller broke through and went one-on-one with Buffon, but tried to play Robben into space and wasted the chance, with Klose heading over from the resulting corner.

Juve’s Mauro Camoranesi then fired wide of the post while seconds later both Mueller, Klose and Schweinsteiger all had chances against Buffon.

Ribery was sent tumbling to the turf on several occasions by robust Juventus marking and referee Howard Webb finally lost his patience when he showed Camoranesi a yellow card on 36 minutes.

Just before the half-time whistle Robben limped out of the game with an injury to his right leg, Ivica Olic replacing him.

The game went flat in the second-half as Juventus playmaker Diego went off and van Gaal brought on Germany striker Mario Gomez to spruce up Munich’s attack.

Iaquinta had arguably the best chance of the game to put the guests ahead when he mistimed his shot on 65 minutes and slammed his fist into the turf in frustration – it was one of those nights.

MUNICH (AFP)

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Juve win is the goal, insists Bayern´s van Gaal

September 30, 2009


Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal insists his goal is to win all five of the Germans’ remaining Champions League group stage matches – starting with main Group A rivals Juventus on Wednesday.

Bayern missed out on the chance to claim top spot in the Bundesliga on Saturday when they were beaten 1-0 at Hamburg, but while the German league defeat left van Gaal in a bad mood, a win over Juventus would keep his side top of their Champions League group.

“My work continues, my task is to win this game and every group stage match,” said the Dutchman.

The Italians warmed up for their trip to Bavaria with a 1-1 draw against Bologna in Serie A at the weekend, but there are genuine concerns in the Munich defence.

Van Gaal has an embarrassment of riches in attack with Germany forwards Mario Gomez and Miroslav Klose competing with Croatia’s Ivica Olic for the lone striker position flanked by wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery.

But things are not so solid in defence, particularly at right and left back.

In Hamburg, Brazil’s Breno was used on the right with Philipp Lahm used on the left, but without success.

So far, new signings Daniel Pranjic and Edson Braafheid have not fulfilled expectations and only centre-back Daniel van Buyten is producing consistent good form while Bayern are missing Brazil’s Lucio who was sold to Inter Milan in the summer.

The Germans will have their hands full containing Juventus’ attack including Vicenzo Iaquinta, David Trezeguet and former Werder Bremen play-maker Diego in what will be the acid test of Munich’s credentials as Group A winners.

The sides experienced mixed fortunes in their opening games, Bayern winning 3-0 at Maccabi Haifa FC while Juve drew 1-1 at home against Bordeaux.

With goalkeeper Michael Rensing dropped in favour of veteran Hans-Joerg Butt, Bayern at least have stability between the posts.

Butt is still sporting a prominent black eye, the result of a collision with Gomez in training prior to the Hamburg defeat.

“Nothing?s broken,” the keeper reported, although he had to have seven stitches to a cut, received treatment right up until kick-off, and slept on his side to avoid further swelling.

Despite the shiner, Butt turned in a fine display against the league leaders and saved his side from going behind on 31 minutes with two world-class saves, but the 35-year-old was powerless to prevent Mladen Petric? late winner.

Another stern test awaits Butt and his defenders on Wednesday and Butt insists concentration will be the key.

“When top teams meet, you?re punished for the smallest error,” he said with Bayern seventh in the Bundesliga while Juventus are only second to leaders Sampdoria in Serie A.

MUNICH (AFP)

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Tough taskmaster van Gaal starts work on Bayern

June 30, 2009


BERLIN (AFP) – Dutch coach Louis van Gaal begins his tenure in charge of German giants Bayern Munich on Wednesday with demands for more silverware and Champions League glory never far from his ears.

The last time Bundesliga big-boys Bayern lifted Europe’s top domestic honour was in 2001, but the Germans have consistently failed to reach the last four of the tournament ever since.

Ex-Germany coach Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked by Bayern in April after just ten months in charge following a string of poor results, so van Gaal arrives from Dutch champions AZ Alkmaar knowing he does not have the luxury of time.

Bayern look to have temporarily fought off interest from Manchester United, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea for French play-maker Franck Ribery, but only a good Champions League campaign this season will keep the wolves away.

Ribery will report with the rest of the squad for training on Wednesday, but has made no secret he wants European success and van Gaal plans to have him as the chief play-maker in his side when the Bundesliga starts on August 7.

“We want to build around Ribery who Louis van Gaal absolutely wants under his command,” said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge with Munich bidding for their 22nd Bundesliga crown after Wolfsburg won last season’s title.

Van Gaal could not have wished for an easier opening to the season with Bayern set to face SpVgg Neckarelz, the lowest ranked side in the competition, in the first round of the German Cup which takes place on the first weekend in August.

The sixth division side will be the first serious opponents for van Gaal and give him the luxury of looking at combinations before the league begins.

But while Klinsmann tried – and failed – to bring innovative ideas and more dynamic football to Munich, van Gaal is expected to bring fierce discipline and he has to make a few decisions.

The goalkeeper issue has to be resolved after Michael Rensing, tipped to be Oliver Kahn’s replacement after the ex-Germany captain retired, lost his place to veteran Hans-Joerg Butt.

And van Gaal has plenty of selection in attack with last season’s first-choice pairing Miroslav Klose and Luca Toni facing tough competition from new signings Mario Gomez, Ivica Olic and promising youngster Thomas Mueller.

Toni struggled for form last season and has said he must play regular football this season if he is to win a place for Italy at next year’s World Cup.

With Germany veteran Klose – the top-scorer at the last World Cup – likely to start alongside rising star Gomez, Toni will have to work hard to guarantee himself first-team football next season.

“I am lucky, I earn a lot and I am not a slave to my salary,” Toni told Italian television earlier this week hinting he might be prepared to leave for a club where he would be paid a smaller salary.

Whoever van Gaal picks in his team, the Dutchman will be expected to do better than last season when Bayern finished second in the Bundesliga and were dumped out of the Champions League by eventual-champions Barcelona.

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Bayern expect top marks from football professor Van Gaal

May 15, 2009


BERLIN (AFP) – Bayern Munich have recruited the football professor they were looking for, but new coach Louis van Gaal will be expected to get top marks from his first day in charge on July 1.

Since former trainer Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked after only ten months in charge, Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge had been scouring the continent for a top-level, German-speaking coach to help re-establish Bayern in Europe.

The English media claimed Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger was approached, but there was little realistic chance of the Frenchman relinquishing control at the north London club.

Van Gaal led AZ Alkmaar to the Dutch championship and finally won the title on April 19, while just eight days later Klinsmann was sacked by Bayern following dismal results including an unacceptably early Champions League exit.

Barcelona’s 4-0 mauling of Bayern in Spain and subsequent quarter-final defeat was the beginning of the end for Klinsmann.

For Van Gaal, a Bundesliga title will be the minimum level of success expected next season with Bayern hungry for their first Champions League crown since 2001.

“FC Bayern is a dream club for me,” said Van Gaal who has been famously quoted as declaring: “I am the best” after guiding Alkmaar to the title.

But Van Gaal will be expected to prove just that and hit the ground running at a club where failure is not an option – Klinsmann was sacked with his side third in the league and contending for the title.

“There’s a completely different mindset here at Bayern,” admitted goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt who reached the Champions League semi-final with Bayer Leverkusen in 2002.

“The entire club is geared towards success, trophies are all that count. You’re expected to win the league and every match, you’re not allowed slip-ups.”

Having steered Ajax to the Champions League title in 1995, the fiery Van Gaal has a wealth of experience having led the giants from Amsterdam to consecutive Dutch titles between 1994, 1995 and 1996.

Under his steerage, players such as Clarence Seedorf, Edgar Davids, Patrick Kluivert and Marc Overmars developed into world stars.

In 1998 and 1999, he also won La Liga with Barcelona before taking charge of the Dutch national side in 2000, but failure to lead them to the World Cup finals in 2002 meant he was replaced by Dick Advocaat.

Then followed brief spells back at Ajax and Barcelona, before he joined AZ in 2005 which culminated in Alkmaar winning the Dutch title just after their decisive 28-game undefeated run was brought to an end.

“You don’t find a player with anything negative to say about him,” said Bayern’s Dutch captain Mark van Bommel.

While Klinsmann was an innovator who brought language classes and buddhist statues to Bayern’s training centre, Van Gaal is a strict disciplinarian.

“Discipline is the basis for creativity,” has long been his mantra.

“I don’t want the best eleven players, I want the best eleven as a team.”

Van Gaal is not afraid to break his own rules.

After failing to lead Holland to the 2002 World Cup finals, he took a break from coaching, but when he took the Alkmaar job in 2005 he later abandoned his prefered 4-3-3 formation for a 4-4-2 approach.

As the Guardian wrote: “By relinquishing his former belief system and marrying it to a more modern approach, Van Gaal has, with AZ, reinvented Total Football. Call it Total Football 2.0, if you will.”

It worked and Alkmaar shocked both themselves and the Dutch league by going 28 games unbeaten – leaking just 22 goals all season – on their way to the title.

Only for the fourth time in the league’s history has a club other than Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven or Feyenoord Rotterdam been crowned champions of Holland.

But while expectations have been low at Alkmaar, Van Gaal will be expected to bring more silverware to the German giants and nothing less than yet another Bundesliga title in the 2009/10 season will be good enough.

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Klinsmann sacking has helped Bayern: Podolski

May 13, 2009


MUNICH (AFP) – Bayern Munich striker Lukas Podolski admits confidence is returning to the defending Bundesliga champions after coach Jurgen Klinsmann was sacked last month.

Ex-Germany boss Klinsmann was axed on April 27 with five games remaining after his side were beaten 1-0 by Schalke 04 to leave them third in the league table while Jupp Heynckes took over as caretaker coach.

While a replacement is sought for Klinsmann, Bayern have moved up to second in the table and level with leaders Wolfsburg with two games remaining as Podolski, 23, has scored two goals in his last two games.

Bayern picked up their 19th league win of the season on Tuesday night in the 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen and Munich are on course to retain their crown if they can win their last two games as Podolski says the improvement is obvious.

“We?ve come on well as a team in the last few games,” said Podolski, who will leave Bayern at the end of the season to play for Cologne having spent most of the last two seasons on the bench.

“We?re well-organised, training is good, and you can see the results out on the park.

“Jupp Heynckes has restored my belief, I?m confident about starting matches, and I think I?ve repaid his faith when I?ve played,” added Podolski voted the best young player at the last World Cup.

And having taken over from Michael Rensing between the posts, Bayern’s former Leverkusen goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt says his experience in Munich has been an eye-opener where success is both expected and demanded.

“There?s a completely different mindset here at Bayern,” said the former Leverkusen goalkeeper who has three caps for Germany.

“The entire club is geared towards success, trophies are all that count here.

“You?re expected to win the league and every match, you?re not allowed slip-ups.

“In Leverkusen we often looked good and played brilliantly against big-name opponents, but we ran into trouble and lost to the smaller clubs.”

With two games left, Bayern have a tough run in with a trip to Hoffenheim on Saturday before the final game of the season on May 23 against title rivals at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

Wolfsburg are at mid-table sides Hanover and Werder Bremen for their remaining games and remain top by virtue of a two-point goal difference, while third-placed Hertha are at home to Schalke 04 and bottom side Karlsruhe.

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Bayern´s belief is back insists van Bommel

May 1, 2009

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BERLIN (AFP) – Bayern Munich captain Mark van Bommel says the defending champions have regained their self-belief as the quest continues to defend the Bundesliga title after this week’s sacking of Jurgen Klinsmann.

The ex-Germany boss was fired as Bayern’s head coach on Monday after just ten months in charge following a poor run of results with his side third in the league and three points behind leaders Wolfsburg.

Former Bayern trainer Jupp Heynckes has taken over as caretaker coach for the five remaining league games, starting Saturday at home to relegation threatened Borussia Moenchengladbach, and a confidence-boosting win is needed.

“I reckon the club has rediscovered its belief, and so have the fans,” said van Bommel after a difficult week for the German giants who lost 1-0 at home to Schalke 04 last Saturday.

Having only taken his first training session on Tuesday, Heynckes has limited time to organise his side before their first game.

“He says exactly what he wants and doesn?t want,” said van Bommel.

“He puts things right and gees you up, he?s always clear in what he says. We like that.”

Heynckes insists a top two place in the league is his target to ensure Bayern make the Champions League next season.

“This club has to qualify for the Champions League. We?ll aim for that at the minimum, which means second place. I?m confident we?ll do it,” said van Bommel with five wins from five as the target.

“We?re assuming we?ll take 15 points, and we?ll see where that gets us.”

But coming after Klinsmann’s dismissal, Bayern’s French playmaker Franck Ribery has said he will he looking to leave Munich if they fail to reach the Champions League next season.

And goalkeeper Michael Rensing has also said he wants to leave if he does not play first-team football having spent the last few games on the bench behind veteran Hans-Joerg Butt.

League leaders Wolfsburg had their ten-match winning run broken at strugglers Energie Cottbus last Sunday and now face Hoffenheim who have dropped down to eighth in the table having now gone 11 games without a win.

Hoffenheim’s title aspirations, on their first season in the Bundesliga, were thwarted when top-scorer Vedad Ibisevic was sidelined at the start of the year after tearing his cruciate knee ligament.

“We want to enjoy the final games in this season and have some fun,” Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick has said.

But Wolfsburg, who are two points clear at the top, will want a return to winning form.

The German media have reported Wolfsburg coach Felix Magath will leave to coach Schalke 04 in the summer, but the former Bayern Munich coach is staying tight-lipped on the issue, while the Royal Blues also refuse to comment.

The biggest clash of the weekend will see Hamburg host Hertha Berlin on Sunday.

Hertha are without star striker Andrei Voronin who is still banned having been sent off against Hanover on April 11 while Serbian striker Marko Pantelic will partner Brazil’s Raffael up front.

Hamburg played the first-leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final against Werder Bremen on Thursday and Bremen play Cologne on Sunday in the German league.

Five straight wins have pushed Stuttgart up to fourth in the table and level on 54 points with Hamburg and Bayern Munich in the pack chasing second placed Hertha, who are on 55.

Stuttgart are bidding to make it six from six at Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday.

Bielefeld’s key Polish striker Artur Wichniarek is on the bench with a back injury, while Stuttgart have Germany striker Mario Gomez in great form with 19 league goals this season including five in the last three games.

Friday

VfL Bochum v Hanover 96

Saturday

Arminia Bielefeld v VfB Stuttgart

Schalke 04 v Bayer Leverkusen

Eintracht Frankfurt v Borussia Dortmund

Karlsruhe v Energie Cottbus

Bayern Munich v Borussia M’gladbach

VfL Wolfsburg v Hoffenheim

Sunday

Cologne v Werder Bremen

Hamburg v Hertha Berlin

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Klinsmann picks veteran keeper Butt over Rensing

April 8, 2009

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BERLIN (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann has opted for ex-Germany goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt ahead of Michael Rensing for Wednesday night’s Champions League quarter-final against Barcelona.

After last Saturday’s 5-1 defeat at the hands of Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, Rensing, 24, has been left on the bench with reserve goalkeeper Butt, 34, brought into the starting eleven, according to tabloid Bild.

Butt, who won the last of his three caps in 2003, was in goal when Bayern beat Sporting Lisbon 7-1 in the previous round at Munich’s Allianz Arena last month.

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Klinsmann insists on Bayern focus despite huge lead

March 10, 2009

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MUNICH, Germany (AFP) – Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann insists Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 clash with Sporting Lisbon is not a foregone conclusion despite the Germans’ huge first-leg advantage.

Italian World Cup winner Luca Toni and French midfielder Franck Ribery both scored two goals in Portugal two weeks ago as Bayern hammered their hosts 5-0 in the first leg.

Both Ribery, who is suffering with a shin complaint, and Toni, achilles tendon, will be missing with injuries for Tuesday’s second leg at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

And while Lisbon face a virtually impossible task if they are to make the quarter-finals, Klinsmann insists his side will not sit back.

"It looks a formality on paper, but it’s not. We can take nothing for granted," said the ex-Germany boss.

"We need to take it seriously and mustn’t be careless. That’s something we can’t afford."

With several top-name stars missing, Klinsmann is likely to use fringe members of his squad against the Portuguese.

"It’s the kind of match where we can have a look at one or two players, but we won’t overdo the rotation. I want to maintain the flow," he said.

Squad players such as Argentina forward Jose Ernesto Sosa, Brazilian defender Breno, defender Andreas Ottl and reserve goalkeeper Hans Joerg Butt look set to feature.

Both Bayern and Sporting warmed up for Tuesday with comfortable wins in their respective leagues at the weekend.

Lisbon beat 12th-placed Pacos Ferreira 2-0 on Saturday courtesy of goals from Brazilian strikers Liedson and Derlei which keeps them in touch with the top of the Portuguese league as they remain four points off leaders Porto.

Bayern are up to second in the Bundesliga after they hammered Hanover 5-1 minus a host of first-choice players including captain Mark van Bommel, midfielder Tim Borowski, Ribery and Toni.

Although Czech forward Jiri Stajner opened the scoring for Hanover, Bayern defender Daniel van Buyten, striker Miroslav Klose and midfielder Hamit Altintop put Bayern in control by the half-time break.

Germany star Lukas Podolski and Argentina’s Martin Demichelis wrapped up the scoring as Bayern climbed up to second behind league leaders Hertha Berlin.

Written by: AFP

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