bastian
Dec 7 2003, 10:09 PM
Kahn backs Bayern system
Sunday, 07 December 2003
By Thomas Zeh
Oliver Kahn is convinced that Ottmar Hitzfeld's new system which replaced the former 4-4-2 could become the key to a more successful season after Bayern Munich managed a 1-1 draw at high-flying Werder Bremen.
Hitzfeld opted for a more offensive-minded 4-3-3 formation with Michael Ballack and Owen Hargreaves forced to do the main workload in defensive midfield while up front Claudio Pizarro, Roque Santa Cruz and Roy Makaay were paired up for the very first time.
"It was decisive that each player was willing to work for his team-mate today," said Kahn.
"Tactically we played extremely clever and didn't gave Werder much space."
The title holders remain six points behind league leaders VfB Stuttgart, who could only draw 0-0 with visiting Hamburg, but general manager Uli Hoeness is sure that Bayern remain well in the title-race.
"This one point is enough to ensure that we can still decide the championship in our favour," stressed Hoeness.
It is expected that Hitzfeld will stick to Bayern's new formation for the all-important final UEFA Champions League group game, where only a win guarantees that Bayern will not repeat last year's disaster when they dropped out at the first round.
Sunday, 07 December 2003
By Thomas Zeh
Oliver Kahn is convinced that Ottmar Hitzfeld's new system which replaced the former 4-4-2 could become the key to a more successful season after Bayern Munich managed a 1-1 draw at high-flying Werder Bremen.
Hitzfeld opted for a more offensive-minded 4-3-3 formation with Michael Ballack and Owen Hargreaves forced to do the main workload in defensive midfield while up front Claudio Pizarro, Roque Santa Cruz and Roy Makaay were paired up for the very first time.
"It was decisive that each player was willing to work for his team-mate today," said Kahn.
"Tactically we played extremely clever and didn't gave Werder much space."
The title holders remain six points behind league leaders VfB Stuttgart, who could only draw 0-0 with visiting Hamburg, but general manager Uli Hoeness is sure that Bayern remain well in the title-race.
"This one point is enough to ensure that we can still decide the championship in our favour," stressed Hoeness.
It is expected that Hitzfeld will stick to Bayern's new formation for the all-important final UEFA Champions League group game, where only a win guarantees that Bayern will not repeat last year's disaster when they dropped out at the first round.