Bayern and Werder resume rivalry

BERLIN, Sept 18 (Reuters) - Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and last season's runners-up Werder Bremen will resume their league rivalry this weekend as the clubs return to domestic action after a week of mixed fortunes in Europe.

Bayern, who celebrated a 1-0 away win over Romania's Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League on Wednesday, are second in the Bundesliga behind early leaders Hamburg SV but can climb above Martin Jol's side for at least 24 hours if they beat Werder at home on Saturday.

Werder will be looking to recover from the disappointment of their opening 0-0 home draw against Champions League newcomers Anorthosis Famagusta of Cyprus and make up for a similarly poor start in the league.

Thomas Schaaf's side took just two points from their opening three Bundesliga matches before finally registering their first win with last Saturday's 3-0 home win over Energie Cottbus.

After strongly criticising the team's performance against Famagusta, Werder's sporting director Klaus Allofs said he expected a marked improvement in Munich.

"We have to put the disappointments behind us, change things and move on," Allofs told the club website on Wednesday.

"None of the players need to be told about the importance of a match against Bayern. They will all be motivated. Playing in the Allianz Arena is the best opportunity to put things back in order."

The reunion of Bayern striker Miroslav Klose and midfielder Tim Borowski with their former Werder team mates should add further spice to the meeting.

At the other end of the pitch, on-loan Chelsea striker Claudio Pizarro will be seeking to get one over on his old Munich colleagues.

After throwing away a three-goal lead - and top spot in the league - at local rivals Borussia Dortmund last weekend, third placed Schalke 04 should fancy their chances at home to winless Eintracht Frankfurt in another of Saturday's matches.

In the pick of Sunday's games Jol's Hamburg attempt to build on their strong start against a Wolfsburg team unbeaten in a nine-game sequence spanning the end of the old season and the start of the new.

Wolfsburg trainer Felix Magath is also unlikely to want for motivation as he pits himself against the club where he spent his Bundesliga career as a player.

5 - 2 !

What a beautifull day here in bremen !

We defeat bayern munich with 5 - 2. We win with our B Team because we have a big number of injured players.
Irony is , that Tim Borowski score two times for bayern - he just went from werder to munich this summer- so actually we made 7 goals in this unexpected shoot out. After we lead 5-0 the team lean back and collect stamina for the next cup game on wednesday

Friends from me call me, while siting in the allianz arena and watching the game - a 7000 man chorus from brave werder supporters on a away game singing : "Tim Borowski - Du Bist unser bester Mann! " which means Tim Borowski - you are our best man !

I guess 7000 people dressed in white and green will enter the known bavarian october fest this hours as well ;-)


OG my friend, sorry for this one, but no doubt bayern will be back in a short for the title race.


Torben