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May 27, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 

Time running out for Bayern Munich in CL

25 November 2009 / REUTERS, BERLIN
Bayern Munich general director Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has urged the troubled German side to lift its game or face elimination at the Champions League group stage.
Time is running out for Bayern and coach Louis van Gaal as the Bavarians cannot afford to drop any points in their Group A clash against Israel’s Maccabi Haifa today. Bayern needs to beat Haifa and then Juventus in Turin in December and hope the Italians do not overcome Girondins Bordeaux this week.

“We have to turn this corner quickly,” Rummenigge told reporters. “If we don’t succeed then we will have to look into it.”

Dutchman Van Gaal, who took over in the close season in an effort to make the team more competitive in Europe, has so far failed to deliver and is under growing pressure. Bayern, with only four points from four games, risks suffering an embarrassing and rare group stage exit and with influential midfielder Franck Ribery still injured and Arjen Robben doubtful, it has a mountain to climb.

Haifa, with no points or goals from four matches, still have an outside chance of overtaking Bayern with two wins in the final group matches to grab the Europa League spot.

Haifa, which lost 3-0 at home to Bayern in September, will be without suspended Brazilian midfielder Tiago Dutra, but is confident it can score itsfirst goals of the campaign.

“Maybe the chances I missed are a sign we’re saving our goals for the Champions League,” said striker Shlomi Arbeitman, who has scored 10 goals in 10 domestic league matches but has failed to capitalize on a host of other opportunities.

Fixtures at a glance

Group A: Bordeaux vs. Juventus; Bayern Munich vs. Maccabi.

Group B: CSKA vs. Wolfsburg; Manchester United vs. Beşiktaş.

Group C: Real Madrid vs. Zurich; AC Milan vs. Marseille.

Group D: Porto vs. Chelsea; APOEL vs. Atletico Madrid.

 
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