Robben and Gomez in squad
Heynckes ‘confident’ prior to Leverkusen clash
23.09.2011
After four weeks out with a pelvic injury, Arjen Robben was blasting thunderbolt shots at Manuel Neuer on the practice ground this Friday – and the Dutch winger may take to the pitch for real at the Allianz Arena on Saturday. Robben is in the FCB squad for the meeting with Bayer Leverkusen (Live in English from 6.30 pm CET on FCB.tv Web Radio), “and that’s very pleasing,” commented head coach Jupp Heynckes.
In another positive development, Mario Gomez has been declared fit after shaking off a persistent groin problem. It is doubly good news for the club, as Mario always seems to play well against Leverkusen, and has eight goals in his last ten outings against the Rhineland side, including a quick-fire hat-trick in the corresponding fixture last season, which Munich won 5-1.
That reverse was just the latest in a long line of fruitless Leverkusen visits to the Bavarian capital. Bayer last won away to FCB almost 22 years ago, and Heynckes is in no mood for that to change this weekend: “We intend to carry on where we left off against Schalke. I’m confident, because we’ve again put in a lot of good work this week.”
The players are on a high after winning their last eight matches without conceding a goal. Keeper Manuel Neuer has gone fully 748 minutes without picking the ball from the back of his net. “If we maintain our current form, we’ll win,” declared Toni Kroos. His club and country team-mate Jerome Boateng was equally optimistic: “We’re very satisfied at present and our aim is to keep playing good football.”
Ballack out with flu
Nevertheless, Leverkusen rate as the best team to visit the Allianz Arena so far this term. The Werkself, or Works’ Team, so-called for their association with the chemical company which gave rise to the town near Cologne in the first place, finished second last season ahead of Bayern – with Heynckes at the helm. The FCB boss knows all about the ability of his former charges: “They play good football and have a well-constructed team. It’ll be tough.” Boateng could only agree. “They’ll have a point to prove. After all, they’re up against heir former boss,” argued the defender.
Furthermore, Leverkusen have pride and a reputation to restore after losing to bitter rivals Köln 4-1 at home last weekend. “Leverkusen won’t turn in another display like the one against Köln, that’s for certain,” declared Heynckes. In selection news, Munich will be close to full strength, but Bayer boss Robin Dutt has seen players drop out on a near-daily basis this week, the latest of them being Michael Ballack. The former Bayern star is confined to bed with a high temperature and is definitely out of Saturday’s clash.
Rummenigge’s warning
Michal Kadlec and André Schürrle are suspended, with René Adler, Daniel Schwaab and Tranquillo Barnetta on the long-term injury roster, hardly making the task easier for the side currently seventh in the standings. “Bayern are in terrific form. They’re very stable and their positional play is superb. There’s a real sense of harmony at the club right now,” Dutt said admiringly.
However, there is very little chance of Leverkusen failing to put up a fight. FCB chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who will host a lunch with senior Bayer directors and officials before the match, warned of the dangers of complacency. “Let’s keep our feet on the ground,” the chairman said, “I know from my own experience that euphoria is a very poor travelling companion in football.”
