ZCZC
BSP-03
FBL-EUR-C1-GRE-GER-AEK-BAYERN
Bayern head to AEK buoyed by ‘liberating’ victory
BERLIN, Oct 22, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Bayern Munich travel to Greece to face
AEK Athens in the Champions League on Tuesday boosted by a Bundesliga win
that “felt like a liberation” after their miserable run of form and a stormy
week behind the scenes.
The pressure was mounting on the German champions and new coach Niko Kovac
during a four-match winless run to the extent that senior club figures
including Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Uli Hoeness launched a stunning attack on
the media.
But Saturday’s 3-1 win over Wolfsburg, in which Robert Lewandowski scored
twice to end a five-game goal drought, is being hailed as a potential turning
point for Bayern’s season.
“That felt like a liberation,” said centre-back Mats Hummels, while
sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic was equally relieved, saying: “We have
shown character in a difficult phase.”
The tension had been ratcheted up on Friday when Rummenigge, Hoeness and
Salihamidzic slammed the press for “disgusting and respectless” reporting of
Bayern’s poor performances in recent weeks, singling out German journalists
to scold.
Saturday’s three points provided some calm at the Allianz Arena, but the
pressure is still on Kovac heading to Athens, after a 1-1 home draw with Ajax
last time out in Europe left Bayern’s Group E hopes in the balance.
Kovac was cautious about thoughts that Bayern will now rediscover the form
which saw them romp to six straight German titles, describing the win at
Wolfsburg as “just a small and first step in the right direction”.
But James Rodriguez, who scored a fantastic goal at the weekend, was more
bullish, saying that Bayern are back in business.
“In a long season, these things always happen,” said James, referring to
the recent shock defeats by Hertha Berlin and Borussia Moenchengladbach that
has left them fourth in the Bundesliga table.
“There are bad games, there are good games. This bad phase has already
gone. Now comes something good.”
Left-back David Alaba was Bayern’s only injury concern from Wolfsburg
after the Austrian was taken off at half-time as a precautionary measure with
a thigh strain.
The AEK match marks the start of a busy few weeks for Bayern who face
midweek games from now up until the November international break —
culminating with a crunch clash at Bundesliga leaders Borussia Dortmund on
November 10.
“We will be playing every three days, but the rhythm is good and I hope
we’ll go from win to win,” said Lewandowski.
After crashing to a 3-0 defeat at Ajax, then losing 3-2 at home to
Benfica, AEK are chasing their first points in the group against Bayern, who
have never lost a Champions League game in Greece with three wins and a draw.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0926 hrs