Badstuber set for rehab after operation

The 24-year-old defender has undergone surgery on the knee injury which has repeatedly sidelined him since December, but is starting his recovery

Bayern Munich defender Holger Badstuber is set to begin a rehabilitation program after undergoing a successful knee operation.

Badstuber, 24, underwent surgery on anterior cruciate ligaments in USA, where he will remain before returning to Munich to commence his recovery.

The Germany international was sidelined for much of the Bavarians’ treble-winning success last term, with the centre-back initially sustaining the ligament damage in a clash with Borussia Dortmund in December, before suffering a recurrence of the same injury in May.

However, it remains to be seen how big of a role coach Pep Guardiola envisages the defender to have upon his return from injury.

The stalwart has made 101 appearances for the German giants since breaking into the senior squad in 2009.

Muller: Winning is all that matters

The 24-year-old is happy to sacrifice style if it means getting three points on the back of his goalscoring display on Saturday

Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller says winning is more important than playing well, following die Roten’s 1-0 win over Wolfsburg last weekend.

The 24-year-old scored the only goal of the game in what was a far from a classic display by last season’s treble-winners.

But the Germany international insists that points take priority over style as the Bavarians continue to adjust under new coach Pep Guardiola.

“Victory comes first, because winning is the most important thing in football,” he said.

“While it would be lovely to play well every week that is simply not going to happen. We cannot always shine and play to our very best, but as long as we win it doesn’t matter.

“We are footballers, not artists.”

Guardiola’s side lie second in the Bundesliga table and trail Borussia Dortmund on goal difference, having won six and drawn one of their seven games so far.

They face Manchester City at the Etihad in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Champions Club: Rooney & Ibrahimovic to shine, Real Madrid to destroy Copenhagen

Nat Coombs is joined by international football writer Peter Staunton and Champions League winner Andrew Cole as we preview all of Wednesday’s matches

Arsenal, Schalke, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona all recorded their second wins of the campaign on Tuesday night, but in Wednesday’s Big Match, will it be Manchester City or Bayern Munich who will secure maximum points?

In the week’s second instalment of Champions Club, Nat Coombs is once again joined by Champions League winner Andrew Cole, and International Football Writer Peter Staunton to preview all of today’s action.

In Tuesday’s show, Cole backed Mesut Ozil to be his star player, and the German did not disappoint, scoring his first goal for the club – and supplying yet another assist – in their 2-0 victory over Rafa Benitez’s Napoli.

Meanwhile, Manchester United will be looking to put their lacklustre start to the Premier League season firmly behind them in Donetsk, as David Moyes’ side take on Shaktar. Check out the video to see what the guys predict for this, and the other seven of today’s matches.

To have your say, remember to tweet us using the hashtag #ChampionsClub to predict your winners and star players for today’s games, and stay tuned to Goal for all the action with our Live Match Centre!

Nasri: Bayern a force to be reckoned with

The Frenchman has nothing but respect for the Euriopean champions and has revealed that he was close to joining the club back in 2005

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has voiced his admiration for Bayern Munich ahead of Wednesday evening’s Champions League encounter at the Etihad Stadium.

Bayern beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in last year’s final after making it to the showpiece conclusion in 2010 and 2012 and Nasri is keen to see where City stand against the German and European champions.

Tweet Owen Hargreaves!
Send your questions to former Bayern Munich and Man City midfielder Owen Hargreaves via @Heineken using #sharethesofa tonight

“Bayern are defending champions. In the last four years, they’ve played in three finals. That’s extraordinary,” Nasri told the official Bundesliga website.

“They’re a force to be reckoned with yet again this season. This game is an opportunity for us to see where we’re at.

“Both teams won their first games. Whoever wins this one will certainly have a psychological advantage during the rest of the group campaign.

“For us it’s about showing that we mean business this season.”

The France international then went on to reveal that he was close to joining Bayern during his time at Olympique de Marseille, prior to his switch to Arsenal in 2008.

“Back in 2005-06 when I think Felix Magath was coach. There was concrete contact, but the transfer didn’t come off,” he revealed.

Dzeko warns Bayern: Manchester City are far stronger now

The striker believes the Premier League side’s summer spending has turned the club into a far more fearsome prospect after failing to advance from the group stage in 2011 and 2012

Edin Dzeko has warned Bayern Munich that Manchester City are not the same side that crashed out of the Champions League at the group stage in 2011 and 2012.

City have struggled to make an impact in Europe’s premier competition during their two previous stints, failing to win a single group game last season as they finished bottom of their group.

Nevertheless, Dzeko believes City are a far more fearsome prospect for opposition teams after bolstering the squad to the tune of €107 million during the summer as they prepare to face the Champions League holders.

“We’ve played a few years together and we also have four new players and they’ve improved the squad,” Dzeko told reporters.

“We’re definitely better this year than last. We don’t have to think about the last two years because it’s done.

“We didn’t get out of the group [last season] but we have started this season in the Champions League very well and that’s important for the team and the confidence.

“Now [we are] at home against the big rival in the group and we want to beat them and stay in the first position.

“We know that they are defending the Champions League. Every player wants to play in the big games against the big teams and the 11 have to give more than 100 per cent to try to win the game.

“Our fans will be there and we’ll give everything, that’s for sure.”

Dzeko believes the new manager, Manuel Pellegrini, will be key in changing City’s European fortunes this season and pointed to the recent derby victory over Manchester United as a reason to be confident.

“Of course the people are expecting us to play like that and that’s what we are trying to do with the new manager, to play aggressive, quick and attacking football.

“We showed that against a big club like Manchester United and why shouldn’t we go forward with that and be more consistent with those games? It’s just the beginning of the season and I am sure we will improve.

“I’ve said it before; the manager is very important and for every player it’s important to know the manager believes in him. He gives confidence that can change everything.”