FC Bayern Munchen News

The winger believes he is playing his best football again after a difficult few months, while Xherdan Shaqiri puts the Bavarians success down to effective squad rotation

Arjen Robben says he is “in top form” again after starring in Bayern Munich’s emphatic 9-2 Bundesliga victory over Hamburg on Saturday.

Although the Bavarians were not crowned champions, with Borussia Dortmund defeating Stuttgart, they did cruise to a massive win at the Allianz Arena to put them within touching distance of the league title.

Speaking after the match, the Netherlands winger claimed Jupp Heynckes’ rotation system was paying dividends for both himself and the rest of the squad.

“The fans saw a great game. It was one of those weird games that you don’t experience often. We played very well, but Hamburg were also very weak and, quite frankly, we exploited them,” Robben told reporters.

“It’s very good for the club now that there is a better squad [at the coach’s disposal]. It’s not just about the team on the pitch.

“The players are demonstrating a better rhythm on the pitch and it makes you feel stronger. Now I am back in top form.”

Xherdan Shaqiri took full advantage of a rare start against HSV as he struck the opener and assisted another, and he hailed the versatility of the FCB side after the game.

“You can see that almost every player is interchangeable. That has certainly been our key to success,” the former Basel starlet added.

“Sure, it would have been nice to become a champion today. But regardless if it was this or next week, we would not be able to celebrate anyway.”

The Juventus man fears that he may not be fit to play against the Bavarians in Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg after Esteban Cambiasso’s late lunge

Sebastian Giovinco has voiced his concerns that he will not be available for Juventus’ Champions League tie against Bayern Munich on Tuesday after suffering an ankle injury against Inter.

The Bianconeri ran out 2-1 winners at San Siro but some gloss was taken off the victory when Giovinco was caught by bad tackle from Esteban Cambiasso deep into stoppage time, an incident which earned the Argentine a straight red card.

The 26-year-old limped off the field after the game and confirmed to Tuttosport that he is a doubt for the quarter-final first leg in Germany.

“My ankle hurts and we are a little worried,” said the forward.

The Derby d’Italia defeat leaves Inter in seventh in Serie A and the frustration in Cambiasso’s lunge was evident, though the Nerazzurri midfielder was quick to repent.

“Yes, I apologized to him [Giovinco] and I think that is the most important thing,” the 32-year-old said.

“I am sure that Sebastian understood. Anyone who has played football knows that if you wanted to hurt someone, you wouldn’t go in as low as that. I arrived a split-second late.”

Andrea Stramaccioni was also quick to leap to his player’s defence, suggesting that his character was not in any way malicious.

“I have already told everyone that Esteban is a good man and a true professional,” the Inter boss added.

“No one needs to lecture him about this.”

The Bayern Munich sporting director criticised the late goals conceded in the 9-2 demolition of Hamburg, insisting it cannot be repeated on Tuesday

Matthias Sammer has called upon Bayern Munich to be ruthless until the final whistle against Juventus, criticising the late goals shipped in the win over Hamburg.

Die Roten cruised to a staggering 9-2 victory in the Bundesliga on Saturday, with Claudio Pizarro scoring four for the Bavarians, although they did allow the visitors to strike twice in the final 15 minutes.

Despite the astounding scoreline, Sammer was quick to stress the importance of avoiding such a late show in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.

“This should not happen to us if possible,” the 45-year-old told Bild when asked about conceding the two goals.

“We have to get a clean sheet against Juve. In recent weeks we have shown we are human. I can understand that. But now we want to be machines.”

Arjen Robben echoed Sammer’s thoughts about banishing any complacency ahead of the clash in Munich on Tuesday, despite the result against a “helpless” Hamburg leaving them on the brink of regaining the domestic title.

“Of course, a result like that makes an impression – you don’t often see nine goals scored in Europe,” the 29-year-old said.

“But the result will not make us complacent. It was a dress rehearsal for the Champions League to a point but really it was more like a warm-up for the Juventus match. The opposition were helpless.”

The Peruvian was evidently heartened with his outstanding display in the mauling of Hamburg, as die Roten inch closer to securing the title

Bayern Munich hero Claudio Pizarro admits it felt “wonderful” to score four goals in die Roten’s 9-2 dismantling of Hamburg on Saturday.

Bayern stormed to a five-goal lead at half-time with Pizarro grabbing a double, before further adding to his tally with another two goals in the second, as well as assisting Arjen Robben for a pair of strikes of his own.

“The four goals felt wonderful,” Pizarro told Sky Sport after the match. “We played well, and I was in good mood.

“The team is well on course. We want to be champions, and as the results are showing, we now almost have earned ourselves the trophy.

“We also can pick up another two [the DFB Pokal and Champions League] yet.”

Pizarro’s four-goal haul ensured he became the 10th all-time Bundesliga top scorer with 164 goals, leapfrogging former die Roten forward and current chief executive, Karl Heinz Rummenigge.

The Bavarians’ 10th league victory in a row has ensured they maintain their 20-point gap at the top ahead of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, who won 2-1 against Stuttgart on Saturday.

The attacker, who netted the winner in Saturday’s encounter, has made it clear the Turin side need some time to recover from their efforts in the Derby d’Italia

Alessandro Matri has admitted Saturday afternoon’s Serie A win over Inter has cost Juventus a lot of energy ahead of next week’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich – who went on to win 9-2 against Hamburg.

The reigning Italian champions recorded a 2-1 away win over the Nerazzurri to make amends for their home loss earlier this season, but victory did not come easy for Juve.

“Today’s game took a lot out of us and we need to recharge our batteries ahead of Munich,” Matri was quoted as saying on the official Juventus website.

“We’ll have a warm-down tomorrow then on Monday we’ll train specifically with Tuesday’s game in mind.”

The attacker then went on to voice his delight with Saturday’s victory as he feels it was a crucial win in the hunt for the Scudetto.

“It was a big win for us and we played at a high tempo right from the off,” he continued.

“We’ve picked up three crucial points for the league table and now we’re focused on Bayern.”

Juventus currently hold a 11-point lead over second-placed AC Milan, with Napoli to play Torino on Saturday night.