| 30.09.2008 |
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| Bayern Munich coach Juergen Klinsmann is preparing for Tuesday's Champions League clash against Olympique Lyon with the pressure already mounting on the former German national team boss. The German champions are off to their worst start to a Bundesliga season in 31 years, winning just two of their opening six games as Klinsmann's side followed up a 5-2 home hammering by Werder Bremen with a shock 1-0 loss at Hanover at the weekend. Bayern opened this season's Champions League campaign with a win over Steau Bucharest but the club's stuttering start to the Bundesliga means victory over Olympique Lyon is a must. "The game against Lyon comes at just the right time. The more difficult the opponent, the better," said Klinsmann Monday. "We have made a perfect start to the Champions League and want to continue on this route. We will play for a victory." Klinsmann has come under fire for resting regulars Ze Roberto, Lucio and Bastian Schweinsteiger at the weekend and the trio are virtually certain to return against Lyon while French international Franck Ribery is expected to start his first game of the season. "If we play like we did against Hanover then we haven't a hope against Lyon," said the midfielder. "I'm feeling good, though," said the 25-year-old. "I'll play from the start on Tuesday." Ribery admitted he is impatient to face compatriots Lyon in the Champions League when all French eyes will be on him. "Finally, the Champions League game is here," an excited Ribery told Die Welt on Sunday ahead of the Group F clash at Munich's Allianz Arena. The 25-year-old only returned from injury a week ago after three months out with torn ankle ligaments playing for France in Euro 2008 and missed Bayern's opening Champions League win at Steaua Bucharest earlier this month. "It is a very special match for me, as it is against Lyon, and I am very impatient for the match to start. I am quite conscious that this Tuesday all of my country will have their eyes turned towards me." Ribery made his first appearance of the season for Bayern in the 5-2 defeat to Werder Bremen last weekend when he came off the bench for the last 25 minutes. He also played the second-half at Hanover on Saturday when Bayern were beaten 1-0 - their second consecutive league defeat - to go ninth in the Bundesliga on Saturday night. And the French star admitted his side were "perhaps missing something" after their less then impressive start to the season as coach Juergen Klinsmann rotated his squad to rest players ahead of the Lyon visit. "In terms of quality, our team can rival the big clubs of Europe like Chelsea or Barcelona," said Ribery. "But perhaps our manpower is not sufficiently packed to succeed head to head with the large teams. On that point, perhaps we are missing something." But the Frenchman says he remains positive about Bayern's chances of turning their season around. Ribery said: "One should expect these difficulties, because there are many new innovations at the club. "We need time to apply the philosophy of Juergen Klinsmann. When that happens, we will be better, and we will try to again be the champions of Germany," said Ribery, adding that his goal is to help Bayern reach the Champions League quarter-finals or beyond. Ribery's coach will be glad to hear at least one of his players has faith in him after a torrid start to his Bundesliga managerial career. He has, however, received a more settling blessing. "I find the criticism of Juergen Klinsmann's rotation tactics unjustified," said Franz Beckenbauer. "I hope that the stuttering start comes to an end (on Tuesday). Bayern can't lose many more." Klinsmann, who took over from Ottmar Hitzfeld in the summer, admitted that his team "lacked creativity" against Hanover while defender Philipp Lahm called on his teammates to up their game against Lyon. "We have the chance to lay down a marker," said Lahm ahead of the match against the French league leaders, who are relishing the task of taking on a Bayern side teetering on the brink of turmoil. "We're ready for Bayern," said Brazilian Fred while France striker Karima Benzema also oozed confidence. Our target is to get at least a point and even better all three," he said. |
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