Bayern on the brink of qualification

Posted Tuesday, October 19, 2010 by PA

Bayern Munich can edge closer to the knockout stages of the Champions League with a win over Cluj and goalkeeper Hans-Jorg Butt says victory at the Allianz Arena is essential in the context of their whole season.

Last season's finalists have beaten both Roma and Basel already and, with a win over the Romanians, they would be just one more win away from booking their place in the last 16.

Given their domestic troubles, an early qualification would allow them to focus on making up ground in the Bundesliga, and that is why Butt is so keen on three points.

"We want to reach the next round and to do that, we have got to win our home games," he said.

"With nine points, we would be a long way clear and that would be a huge step."

Bayern bounced back from their worst ever start to a Bundesliga season on Saturday with a 3-0 win over Hannover.

Mario Gomez scored all three goals to end a personal drought and he will lead the attack again.

"I am not going to replace a striker who has scored three goals," said coach Louis van Gaal.

"I think he will score another goal."

The Germany international was clearly relieved with his hat-trick on Saturday and he has vowed to carry on doing the job he is paid for - scoring goals.

"I cannot and will not let up," he said. "It is not always going to be three goals, but I will always try to score in the next game.

"We have tanked up on self-confidence."

Van Gaal should be able to welcome Bastian Schweinsteiger back into his team while Daniel Van Buyten and Ivica Olic face late fitness tests.

"Maybe they can play too, but that is not certain," said the Dutch coach.

Van Gaal expects Cluj to employ the same tactics used by Roma at the Allianz Arena and play for a goalless draw, but after seeing off the Italians with a mixture of patience and determination, he is confident they can do the same again.

"Cluj will come here and defend and maybe hope to get a goal on the counter-attack," he predicted.

"They are an uncomfortable opponent. Hopefully we can get an early goal."

Cluj dropped to a new low at the weekend when they were beaten 5-3 by Vaslui to slip to 11th in the Romanian Premier League.

The Romanian double winners currently find themselves 13 points behind leaders Otelul Galati while the chances of them picking up their first points in the Champions League are slim since two of their most important players are injured.

Gabriel Muresan and Edimar will both miss out, but giant striker Lacina Traore should be their target man.

And Van Gaal knows his players will have a tough task to contain him, saying: "He is six-foot-six and he can move around well, he is strong with the ball and he is the player everybody aims for."