Bayern's Turbulent Break Over - Football (Soccer) News And Picks

Bayern's Turbulent Break Over
By David Hein
Posted: 11:00 am PDT 2007-01-25

The calendar may say only 36 will have passed when Bayern Munich finally take the field again -- on Friday night at Borussia Dortmund to start the second half of the German Bundesliga season.

But don't blame Bayern players, management and fans if they feel like those five weeks seemed more like five months, if not longer.

And don't blame them if they're happy to finally start playing real games again.

On Dec. 20, Bayern lost 4-2 at Alemannia Aachen in the Round of 16 of the German Cup, and that proved just the start of a rough stretch.

Here a recap of Munich's past five weeks:

Playmaking genius Sebastian Deisler decided to retire from football at the tender age of 27 -- saying he couldn't trust his body anymore after a series of knee surgeries and a battle with depression and other mental problems.

Much-loved midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic announced he will be leaving Bayern this summer for Italian giants Juventus Turin on a four-year contract after nine years with Munich, who offered the Bosnian international a two-year deal.

Iranian midfielder Ali Karimi was given permission to leave the club should another team express interest.

Striker Claudio Pizarro said he wanted to extend his stay in Munich but also that Bayern manager Uli Hoeness isn't talking to him.

Brazilian defensive ace Lucio has expressed aggravation about not being in the starting lineup in exhibition games.

The club hoped to acquire talented striker Amauri, but the Brazilian tore his ACL and the deal was finished.

Bayern coach Felix Magath is also dealing with a series of minor injuries which could cut down his choice for starters for Friday.

Lukas Podolski is fighting a back injury. Owen Hargreaves has only just returned and not fully fit from a long-term leg injury. Willy Sagnol appears recovered from a calf concern. Martin Demichelis may be out with a back injury -- which could end up getting Lucio back into the back-line.

Despite all the personnel problems and injury concerns, confidence is unwavering in Bayern camp.

"We are right on plan. We're very well prepared, and I assume that we'll have a good start," said Magath, whose team are third in the league -- three points behind Werder Bremen and Schalke 04.

Magath also said he doesn't expect Bayern management to make any changes to the roster prior to the Jan. 31 end of the transfer period.

"No, I assume that with this team we can fulfill our goals -- to defend our German championship and make some noise in the Champions League."

Despite everything, Bayern are also considerable -110 WagerWeb.com favourites on the road at Borussia Dortmund.

Borussia (+240 on WagerWeb.com), meanwhile, are hoping new coach Juergen Roeber can bring in some new wind. The former Hertha Berlin and VfL Wolfsburg boss was brought on after Dortmund struggled to just 22 points in the first 17 games -- good for only ninth on the table, five points from the UEFA Cup.

Bundesliga leaders Werder Bremen will know how their top competitors have done as they play Sunday evening after Bayern hit the pitch Friday and Schalke (+120 on WagerWeb.com) are at Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

Thomas Schaaf's Bremen side open the second half at home as -333 WagerWeb.com favourites against Hanover 96.

Online Football (Soccer) Betting Sites