Sammer: Bayern not worried about other clubs

The former Germany international insists that die Roten are paying little heed to what others are demanding of the treble winners this season

Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has made light of the weight of expectancy upon the shoulders of Pep Guardiola, claiming that neither the club nor the coach care what anybody else thinks about them.

Die Roten romped to a sensational treble last season but there are those that now expect the the former Barcelona boss to take the Bavarians to another level.

Guardiola’s first competitive outing as coach did not go as expected, though, with Bayern suffering a surprise 4-2 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup on Saturday, but Sammer insists that they will be paying little heed to the doubters and naysayers.

“We’re not worrying about other clubs and the opinions of others,” the former Germany international told Die Welt. “We have clear ideas.

“Our new coach is there now and he has let everyone at the club know how he wants to play. His opinion is characterised by competence, and I think that’s what counts for us. Nothing else interests us.

“We are always assessed to determine whether we are successful but we can only focus on the path we have chosen and not worry about what people think about it.”

Bayern wrapped up last season’s Bundesliga title with a record six rounds remaining, but he is not expecting another procession this term.

“BVB has again made great transfers and is sure to have a good season,” he said of his former club. “Schalke have also shopped well, like Bayer Leverkusen.

“So, just because last year was so extremely successful, that does not mean that this year will be the same.”

Bayern begin the defence of their German title with a game against Borussia Monchengladbach on August 10.

Schweinsteiger targets No.6 role

The influential die Roten star has set his sights on being a holding midfielder this year as he believes it suits his abilities best

Bastian Schweinsteiger has told new Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola he wants to play in the No.6 position this season.

The Germany international has impressed as a more withdrawn midfielder in recent years, but has also featured as attacking midfielder and winger.

However, he has now stressed the position just in front of his own defence is his preferred option.

“Playing in the No.6 position would fit my abilities best in my opinion,” Schweinsteiger was quoted as saying by Kicker.

“I do know that I can also play in a more offensive role. I didn’t always play in the same position last year either.

“I am used to being rather flexible, but I feel that the position in front of the defence suits me best.”

Schweinsteiger has developed into one of Bayern’s undisputed star players ever since former head coach Louis van Gaal moved him from the left wing to central midfield.

Borussia Dortmund-Bayern Munich Betting Preview: Super Cup to provide Guardiola's first trophy in Germany

The German and European champions show no signs of easing up after last season’s success, and Al Hain-Cole expects them to collect more silverware at Signal Iduna Park

Having met in last season’s Champions League final at Wembley, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund come head-to-head once again in the German Super Cup on Saturday – a game you can watch live on bet365.

Die Schwarzgelben must be sick of the sight of their opponents after losing out to them in both the league and in Europe last season, but are available at 29/10 (3.90) to exact some revenge by collecting the first trophy of the season in front of their own fans.

Pep Guardiola has big shoes to fill after replacing the treble-winning Jupp Heynckes in the Bayern dugout, but his side are favourites at 5/6 (1.83) to mark a first competitive match in charge with a victory.

The match finished all square the last time these opponents met at Signal Iduna Park, and you can get odds of 11/4 (3.75) on them taking it into extra-time with a draw in this one.

Die Roten were head and shoulders above their rivals at home and abroad last season, and only appear to have become stronger over the summer.

While the retired Heynckes was replaced by perhaps the most esteemed young coach in the game, the European champions poached their closest rivals’ best player in Mario Gotze, before brushing aside competition from Manchester United to add Thiago Alcantara to a midfielder already jam-packed with talent.

Although some might have hoped the managerial change would throw them off kilter, an impressive pre-season campaign featuring 24 goals scored and just one conceded in six games suggests little has changed, and the recent 2-0 win over Barcelona was particularly intimidating.

With Gotze’s replacement Henrikh Mkhitaryan and fellow new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both out injured, Jurgen Klopp’s men will likely struggle to cope with their indomitable opponents, and odds of 5/6 (1.83) are too good to miss on the visitors coming out on top.

While the Wembley 2-1 defeat will no doubt still be fresh in Dortmund’s minds, they will also have unwelcome memories of last season’s Super Cup clash when they lost to the same opposition by the very same scoreline.

With both sides having scored in five of their last six encounters, it is worth backing the 15/2 (8.50) odds on Bayern emerging victorious by two goals to one yet again.


Sign up for up to £200 in free bets

Al Hain-Cole is a Liverpool fan, experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.

Borussia Dortmund cancel Gotze farewell

The Bundesliga giants have opted to call off the midfielder’s official goodbye in an attempt to avoid aggravating supporters ahead of the Supercup clash with Bayern Munich

Borussia Dortmund have decided to cancel the scheduled farewell ceremony for Mario Gotze ahead of this weekend’s German Supercup match against Bayern Munich, in order to prevent any supporter protests.

The Germany international angered BVB fans when announcing his decision to leave Dortmund for Bayern in a deal worth €37 million earlier this year, but Dortmund were nonetheless keen to give the 21-year-old an official goodbye and thank him for his contribution to the club’s recent successes.

However, they have now opted against their initial plan to bid Gotze farewell on Saturday after talks with the attacking midfielder’s agent Volker Struth, in an effort to placate fans who remain bitter over his switch to the Allianz Arena.

Gotze has been receiving abuse via social media ever since announcing his transfer to Bayern and it has therefore been decided that he will remain in Munich this weekend to work on his recovery from injury rather than travel to Dortmund for the match at Signal Iduna Park.

The creative midfielder has been sidelined with a muscular problem ever since the second leg of Dortmund’s Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid, but is expected to resume squad training in the next 10 days.

Pick your Team of the Season: Ribery, Pirlo and Lewandowski star in Asia editor's XI

Ahead of the Goal 50 on Monday, July 29, our countdown continues with each of Goal’s regional managing editors this week choosing their best world XIs from 2012-13

At first look, this might seem a very offensive XI but, on closer scrutiny, it is clear that the solidity of the back three (Andrea Barzagli, Thiago Silva and Jan Verthongen) and the dynamism of the two wingers (Franck Ribery and Gareth Bale) would give any opposition a hard time when it came to scoring.

In the middle of the pitch, the midfield axis formed by Andrea Pirlo and Bastian Schweinsteiger would have the task to snatch the ball and quickly distribute it to Lionel Messi who, in a playmaker role, could then link up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski.

In goal is the youngest player, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, who showed how capable he is over the course of last season despite being just 21.

This team could also be deadly from set-pieces, with several specialists at direct free-kicks, including Lionel Messi, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo. Andrea Pirlo, who is also an expert over a dead-ball situation, would be my choice for captain.

Do you agree? Select your own best world XI of 2012-13 by clicking the Pick Your Team button on the graphic.