Arsenal

Bayern beat Arsenal for Ribery & Toni as a dream team forms to regain supremacy

By Matthew Day ⋅ May 27, 2007 ⋅  Print This Post ⋅ Post a comment

German giants Bayern Munich clearly aren’t keen on being labelled as failures for too long because, in spite of finishing in fourth position, their worst performance for over a decade, they are rebuilding their squad by spending millions of euros and planning for another wave of Bundesliga and European dominance.

Some have said German clubs simply cannot compete amongst Europe’s elite due to a lack of transfer funds, deriving from the greater emphasis on low ticket prices and fans’ entertainment and less on the monetary side of the game, but Bayern are a global brand and, as Germany’s standout side, believe Champions League success is possible.

Whether they need a new coach is a moot point, but Ottmar Hitzfeld looks set to continue for at one more season and he is desperate to banish memories of the last nine months. There will be no Champions League to look forward to, while the players will have to fight hard to regain their Bundesliga crown and accordingly restore dignity to the illustrious club.

As soon as the season ended, the activity began in Bavaria. Owen Hargreaves was dispensed with; Manchester United’s 25 million euros offer far too good to reject, and it paves the way for a summer of change and fresh faces. Already, the nine million euros transfer of German international defender Marcell Jansen from Borussia Moenchengladbach has been finalised, a deal for Werder Bremen’s prolific striker Miroslav Klose is surely close and two of the continent’s hottest stars are touted to join these two at the Allianz Arena shortly.

Both Luca Toni, the Fiorentina hitman, and Franck Ribery, the dynamic and much sought-after Marseille midfielder, are reportedly close to concluding deals with Bayern. The pair, who played against each other in the 2006 World Cup final, would cost a total of around 35 million euros yet are value for money, considering many of Europe’s top sides have also been pursuing them, including Arsenal, who are still chasing Ribery and have not conceded defeat. Securing their signatures ought to ensure Bayern’s name is on the league trophy for 2008 as well as progress into the latter stages of the Uefa Cup. Odds will be uniquely short on Hitzfeld’s side doing the double, though theory and practise are frequently further apart than forecasts assert.

Naturally, results must match expenditure. Bayern are taking a gamble in order to recapture their status as an elite club and to recover their pride following a campaign where little heart has been displayed by the players. Felix Magath had to be replaced but not in time to salvage a position inside the top three, and further changes in the squad are expected to shake up and rejuvenate the atmosphere at Germany’s grandest club.

Summer departures will probably include the much-maligned Roque Santa Cruz, the Paraguayan international who clearly doesn’t enjoy his role as a striker. “Why did Santa Cruz play?” Ottmar Hitzfeld was asked after the 2-0 defeat at Stuttgart, Bayern’s ninth loss of the season, in April. “Who else should have played?” replied the coach. Santa Cruz has been booed off and will probably be hissed out of the country in the next few months, but Hitzfeld’s comments indicate the lack of depth in the Bayern squad.

Also going are Hasan Salihamidzic, Claudio Pizarro and Ali Karimi – all of whom are out of contract, and Mehmet Scholl, who has retired. Rumours attest the experienced duo of Lúcio and Roy Makaay are also set to leave.

However, Bayern have quietly completed a few low-profile signings already as Hitzfeld looks to complement the talent currently at the club. 23-year-old striker Jan Schlaudraff is joining from relegated Alemannia Aachen and Turkish international midfielder Hamit Altintop is coming from Schalke 04, while Argentinean midfielder Jose Ernesto Sosa is set to join from Argentina’s Estudiantes. A move for Arjen Robben is unlikely to be successful, the Dutchman preparing to sign a new five-year contract with Chelsea, though a deal with the highly rated Ricardo Quaresma of Porto has been hinted at.

Unlike many other of the continent’s top clubs, Bayern are looking to incorporate the so-called ‘big’ names. If Toni and Ribery move to Munich, the club will again be looked upon with envy – and fear. With existing quality in the likes of Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski amongst others, Bayern’s plan to modernise is a step closer to completion.

A season of spending alters all supporters’ perceptions and expectations, and if Hitzfeld signs the players he craves and can reinvigorate the Bayern squad, Germany’s most-hated club will once again be topping the league and, in the longer-term, be eyeing success in the Champions League, coveting a repeat of the tremendous 2001 triumph.

Can Bayern win the Champions League again? Share your views by leaving a comment below.

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