Rummenigge tells Bayern to keep it up
LEGEND SAYS GLADBACH FORM IS THE WAY FORWARD
ayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has called for the “same again” in today’s German Cup second-round clash at home to Bundesliga rivals Augsburg.
Holders Bayern warmed up for the visit of Bavarian neighbours Augsburg with a convincing 2-0 win at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday, which coach Carlo Ancelotti dubbed their best first-half display this season.
Bayern broke a three-match winless streak by thrashing PSV Eindhoven 4-1 last Wednesday in the Champions League, before beating Gladbach, but Rummenigge says they must maintain their current winning form at the Allianz Arena.
“The first-half display was perhaps the best performance of the season, which deserves praise, but in my experience, not too much,” said Rummenigge.
“We must do exactly the same again on Wednesday.”
Augsburg lost 2-1 to Freiburg on Saturday in Germany’s top flight, but travel the 80 kilometres to Munich buoyed by results against Bayern in recent years.
They have won two of their last five games against Bayern and beat Pep Guardiola’s side in
German Cup: Today:
Astoria Walldorf v Darmstadt, Hannover 96 v Fortuna Duesseldorf, Heidenheim v VfL Wolfsburg, Greuther Fuerth v Mainz 05 (all 8.30pm UAE time). Nuremberg v Schalke 04, Cologne v Hoffenheim, Bayern Munich v Augsburg, Dortmund v Union Berlin. (all 10.45pm) both 2014 and 2015 under excoach Markus Weinzierl, who is now in charge of Schalke.
Bayern, who beat Borussia Dortmund on penalties in the 2016 German Cup final in May, have lifted the trophy a record 18 times.
Their only fitness concern is Franck Ribery, who sits out the match with a leg injury.
One man who is fit though is Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara and he says he wants to continue his good form.
Right moves
He joined Bayern in 2013 and now the Spanish international plays a vital role in Ancelotti’s team.
“Don’t know about the best shape, but I’m definitely in pretty good shape,” he said.
“If you have the feeling you’re making the right decisions and this is supported by success, you feel good.
“It’s not only about the games, but it’s a general thing. You know when to rest, what to eat and when. During the games you are much more familiar with the right moves. So all of this together makes you get more energy and have more self-confidence,” he added.
Dortmund, who came back from two goals down to draw 3-3 at Ingolstadt on Saturday in the league, host seconddivision Union Berlin at Signal Iduna Park also today.
Borussia have a lengthy walking-wounded list with captain Marcel Schmelzer and Raphael Guerreiro out, while Sven Bender, Marco Reus, Neven Subotic and Erik Durm are all working their way back after injury.
Alongside the Bayern-Augsburg clash, the other all-Bundesliga match today sees Cologne host Hoffenheim.