The build-up to the big Bundesliga encounter this weekend has been dominated by the injury woes of both sides, but Sammer says it will take nothing away from the spectacle
Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer insists he is not looking for excuses in the top-of-the-table clash between the Bavarians and Borussia Dortmund.
Both sides have had their injury problems since players have returned from international duty, with BVB missing a host of defenders, including Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic, Marcel Schmelzer and Lukasz Piszczek, while midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is also sidelined.
Bayern too have their injury setbacks to contend with. Bastian Schweinsteiger is out until 2014 and Franck Ribery cracked a rib whilst playing for France, but Sammer is adamant these injuries will take nothing away from Saturday’s encounter.
“I would prefer, if there had been a complete game, with all the players of Borussia Dortmund versus Bayern Munich. Now there is too much talk about pity,” Sammer told Sky Sport News.
Ribery, who helped France overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Ukraine to seal les Bleus‘ World Cup spot in Brazil next year, believes Pep Guardiola’s men will cope fine on Saturday.
He added: “I’m sure that the team will play well without me.”
Bayern can extend the gap at the top to seven points if they win against BVB and other results go their way this weekend.