Revived Bayern plot Dortmund’s downfall
BERLIN: Robert Lewandowski is set to return to action for Bayern Munich this weekend as they look to score an important victory over troubled title rivals Borussia Dortmund.
The Polish star missed Tuesday’s Champions League clash against Celtic with a back problem, but is expected to be fit to face his former club at Signal Iduna Park today.
Lewandowski’s return will boost a Bayern side who are already full of confidence after their revival in recent weeks.
Saturday’s fixture is an opportunity to extend their lead in the title race and heap more misery on a Dortmund side currently in crisis.
Despite injuries to Lewandowski, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller, Bayern have turned things around since Carlo Ancelotti was sacked at the end of September.
Under successor Jupp Heynckes, the champions have won six games out of six. They have overturned Dortmund’s five-point advantage to claim top spot in the Bundesliga, notched up league and cup victories over RB Leipzig, and secured qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League.
“We have taken a huge step in the last few weeks,” Bayern forward Arjen Robben told Bild. “Three weeks ago, I wouldn’t have believed you if you’d told me where we are now. But we have to keep our feet on the ground.”
Dortmund, by contrast, have endured a disastrous few weeks. Peter Bosz’s side have won just one of their last six games, dropping to second after defeats to both RB Leipzig and Hanover 96.
Consecutive draws against APOEL Nicosia have compounded their misery, destroying any hope of qualification from their Champions League group.
MILAN: Leaders Napoli turn their focus back to Serie A after a bruising Champions League defeat to Manchester City midweek in which defender Faouzi Ghoulam picked up a serious knee injury.
Algerian international Ghoulam could be out for months after tearing a cruciate ligament in his right knee during the 4-2 defeat which effectively ends Napoli’s elite European challenge.
Maurizio Sarri’s side — with 31 points after 11 games — travel to midtable Chievo tomorrow looking to pull further ahead of rivals Inter Milan, who are just two points adrift and fresh after their absence from European football when they host northern Italian outfit Torino, who are in ninth.
But Ghoulam’s absence should cause headaches for Sarri who will be forced to shuffle around Elseid Hysaj and Christian Maggio, or bring in Portuguese Mario Rui, who has played little in the past year.
“Right now (Ghoulam) he’s one of the best full-backs in Europe,” said Sarri. “He’s an important player for us and it’ll be difficult for us to replace him.”
Champions Juventus, three points behind Napoli, can make up ground as they host tailenders Benevento, who have lost all their 11 games.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side were held 1-1 in Champions League by Sporting Lisbon, but are still in the running for the last-16.
Despite their predicament Benevento forward Pietro Iemmello remains optimistic of staying in the top flight.
“It’s a tough moment for everyone, the only way to react is to work and never give up,” said Iemmello.