FC Bayern Munchen News

New Bayern Munich midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri has claimed the supporters of the club love his style of play, after becoming an instant fans’ favourite in Bavaria.

The 20-year-old playmaker has enjoyed a productive start to the Bundesliga season, with the home crowd at the Allianz Arena warming to the Switzerland international immediately.

And the former Basel man believes that the rapport he is enjoying with the fans is down to his exciting style of play.

“It is really nice to be received like this,” he told German magazine TZ. “I think people like my playing style, and see me as a normal, likeable guy”.

The Kosovan-born midfielder then commented on his relationship with boss Jupp Heynckes, and his versatility as a player.

“The coach sees me as a midfielder,” he added.

“I do not think I will be used in defence [despite injuries to Rafinha, Diego Contento and David Alaba]. My strengths are in attacking, but if the coach needs me, I’m ready.”

Shaqiri also says by he has settled in at die Roten, and is relishing the opportunity to go to the annual Munich beer festival, Oktoberfest, which will begin in the city at the end of the month.

He added: “I have never been, but I am looking forward to it. There is a very special atmosphere in the air. I am very excited.

“I have not seen much of the city, but now I am settled in I will see a lot more. [Franck Ribery] has helped me. We have done a few things together. He is always helpful if I have any questions.”

Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes is spoilt for choice in his squad, especially going forward. Javi Martinez will be desperate to continue the form he showed for Athletic Bilbao throughout the Basques’ Europa League run in the colours of his new side, and could make an appearance ahead of Luis Gustavo.

Peru international Claudio Pizarro, meanwhile, barely featured at the weekend against Mainz after featuring in two matches for his country, but will hope to feature at some point against Mauricio Pellegrino’s men.

Valencia midfielder Fernando Gago missed out against Celta after suffering a crunching blow to the head while on duty with Argentina, a blow which saw the ex-Roma and Real Madrid star stay in hospital under observation. He returned to Valencia only on Monday evening, and will now miss out against Bayern.

With David Albelda and Ever Banega also on the casualty list, Tino Costa and Daniel Parejo are likely to continue in the middle.

• With five second-place finishes, meanwhile, no team has fallen at the final hurdle as often as the Bavarians.

• Die Roten will be hoping to go one step further than in 2012, after seeing their dreams of a fifth title go up in smoke with a shoot-out defeat at the hands of Chelsea. 

• Valencia have never won Europe’s premier club competition; falling at the final hurdle twice, in 1999-00 and 2000-01.

• In 2001, Bayern ended Che dreams of a first Champions League, winning on penalties thanks to a missed kick from current coach Pellegrino (right).

• As well as Bayern Munich, Valencia will take on Lille and BATE Borisov in Group F of the Champions League.

Javi Martinez says Bayern Munich must be prepared to deal with Valencia’s high-tempo brand of football when the two sides face each other on the opening matchday of the Champions League.

The 2000 finalists will lock horns on Wednesday in Group F’s curtain-raiser on the back of contrasting fortunes, as the Bavarians finished runners-up in last season’s competition, while Los Che were dumped out at the group stage.

And Martinez, who has vast experience of playing Valencia from his time at Athletic Bilbao, expects the Liga outfit to pose a considerable threat to his new team, even at the Allianz Arena.

“I know [Valencia] very well and I’ve played them quite a few times,” he told Bayern’s official website. “They’ll definitely push us hard because they have a great team.

“They’re very balanced, they have plenty of pace, they put opponents under pressure, and they’re very well set-up tactically.”

The 2012-13 edition of the Champions League will be Martinez’s first of his career, and he is relishing the prospect of making his bow in Europe’s elite club tournament.

“I’ve never played in the Champions League before,” he added. “It’s an important match for us.

“Bayern made it to the final last season, and we’re among the favourites for the competition, so we obviously want to make a successful start.”

Kick-off in Bavaria is scheduled for 20:45CET.

Arjen Robben has admitted that he is still in the dark over whether he will have recovered from a groin injury in time for Bayern Munich’s clash with Valencia.

The Duthman suffered the knock while on international duty with Netherlands last week, and was forced to miss his side’s Bundesliga clash with Mainz on Saturday.

However, the former Real Madrid man has made a swift return to training, but remains unsure whether he will be able to line up at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

“It’s looking good,” he told FCB.tv.

“It’s something in my back, which made my groin feel bad. We have to be reasonable and smart now because we have so many important matches in the next few weeks.

“I’ll have to wait and see. We’re taking each day as it comes.”

Franck Ribery also missed the weekend’s match with a muscle strain, but is looking more likely than his Dutch team-mate to feature against Valencia.

“I think I’ll be able to play on Wednesday,” he confirmed.

Bayern Munich play Valencia in Group F this Wednesday, September 19.