ACTUALITE |
24.08.2002
Bayern looking to topple Bochum from Bundesliga top spot
BERLIN
Bayern Munich are just one of the Bundesliga`s big teams looking to boost their image, and league chances, after two weeks of action have left many of the title contenders down in mid-table.
As a result, league leaders VfL Bochum, along with Schalke 04 and Hansa Rostock, the only teams to take six points so far, could find their fantastic start to the campaign halted by a quick jolt of reality.
Bochum, whose Danish-born Spaniard Thomas Christiansen is banging in the goals for fun - with five from two games so far - face a tricky away match against Bayer Leverkusen.
Despite winning their first two games in style, Bochum will come up against a Leverkusen side possibly devoid of injured pair Torsten Frings and Oliver Neuville but determined to overhaul two defeats which have left them in the lower reaches of the table.
Further motivation for Leverkusen is the fact that last season they scaled the heights of the Champions League, reaching the final before going down to Real Madrid.
German Cup champions Schalke would normally be given more hope of winning the league than Bochum, however they are under just as much threat as the league leaders.
In the possible absence of injured German international Jorg Bohme, Schalke host an impressive Hertha Berlin side on Sunday and could give new signing, Uruguayan international midfielder Gustavo Varela his first run out.
The 24-year-old Varela, signed until 2006 for an undisclosed sum, joins international team-mate, defender Dario Rodriguez, in the side.
Third-placed Hansa Rostock perhaps have a better chance than either of the latter to stay in the top three as they travel to Energie Cottbus.
The little former east German side have a win and a draw so far, and sit third from bottom.
But despite what the rest do, Bayern owe it to themselves to go out and put words into action.
Prior to the season the team captain, goalkeeper Oliver Kahn, promised the season would be one of success after last season the former European champions were left wanting on both European and domestic fronts.
Although Bayern will be up for the task, coach Ottmar Hitzfeld will undoubtedly be worried about the absence of his injured ball-stopper.
Kahn failed to make Germany`s squad for their draw in a friendly against Bulgaria in midweek and is still doubtful for Saturday`s trip to the northern coast city of Hamburg, who sit in sixth spot.
Hamburg will also welcome the fact that defender Willy Sagnol picked up a hamstrong injury during France`s 1-1 draw midweek in their friendly against Tunisia and will be unavailable.
However his international teammate Bixente Lizarazu, who has been out through injury since the start of the season, could make the trip.
"I`m hoping he will play," Hitzfeld said when asked about Lizarazu`s progress.
In order to go top, Hitzfeld`s dream team will have to beat their hosts and hope that Bochum, Hansa Rostock and Schalke all lose their respective matches.
Fixtures:
Saturday
Bayer Leverkusen v Vfl Bochum,
Arminia Bielefeld v Vfl Wolfsburg,
Borussia Monchengladbach v Kaiserslautern,
SV Hamburg v Bayern Munich,
1860 Munich v Werder Bremen,
Energie Cottbus v Hansa Rostock,
Borussia Dortmund v Vfb Stuttgart
Sunday
Schalke 04 v Hertha Berlin,
FC Nuremberg v Hanover 96
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