Bayern out to tame Wolves in treble bid

MUNICH, Germany, April 15, (AFP): Bayern Munich tackle their next hurdle in their bid to complete an historic treble when they host VfL Wolfsburg in Tuesday’s German Cup semifinal.

Having drawn Barcelona in the Champions League semifinals and been confirmed as Bundesliga title winners, Bayern are bidding to become the first German team to win the treble of European, league and cup titles.

With Jupp Heynckes standing down as Bayern head coach at the end of the season to be replaced by ex-Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, Bayern have made no secret of their desire to end Heynckes’s three-year reign in historic fashion.

Heynckes made nine changes for Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing of Nuremberg at Munich’s Allianz Arena in the league, but the full squad was put through their paces in training on Sunday, led by captain Philipp Lahm.

Bayern will be without winger Franck Ribery, who is suspended after his red card in December’s 2-0 win over Augsburg in the Cup’s last 16, and the France star said the win over Nuremberg was an important preparation for Wolfsburg.

“We’re taking these games seriously because it’s important to maintain our rhythm,” said Ribery with the final to be held at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on June 1.

“Now we want to beat Wolfsburg and book our trip to Berlin.”

Wolfsburg’s last win at Munich was in 2009 when the team which went on to win the Bundesliga title romped to a 5-1 victory, but this season’s Wolves team struggled to draw 2-2 at relegation-threatened Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Dieter Hecking’s Wolves have won just three of their last ten games, including a 2-0 league defeat at home to Bayern in February.