GERMANY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Bayern Munich train ahead of Champions League match against Fiorentina

Record ID: 556006

  • Title: GERMANY: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Bayern Munich train ahead of Champions League match against Fiorentina
  • Date: 17th February 2010
  • Summary: MUNICH, GERMANY (FEBRUARY 16, 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF BAYERN MUNICH TRAINING GROUND "FC BAYERN MUNICH" ON WINDOW OUTSIDE TRAINING GROUND PLAYERS WALKING OUTSIDE TRAINING GROUND CAMERAMEN AT TRAINING GROUND PLAYERS ON SOCCER PITCH VARIOUS OF PLAYERS TRAINING VARIOUS OF COACH LOUIS VAN GAAL WATCHING MORE OF TRAINING VARIOUS OF PLAYERS RUNNING PLAYERS STRETCHING CAMERA OPERATORS AT SIDE OF TRAINING GROUNDS
  • Embargoed: 4th March 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVACAZRL52E2F05LH4HL7LC5CGOQ
  • Story Text: Bayern Munich and Fiorentina, two teams moving in opposite directions, will clash in the Champions League on Wednesday (February 17) with the Bavarians firm favourites to progress to the quarter-finals.
    Bayern made a shaky start to the Champions League, finishing six points behind Girondins Bordeaux as they struggled through the group stage, but have now won their last 12 games in all competitions under Dutch coach Louis van Gaal.
    Fiorentina, who qualified for the knockout stages at the expense of Liverpool, have lost momentum since the start of the year, taking only one point from their last five Serie A matches.
    They were outclassed 2-0 by Sampdoria in a league match on Saturday (February 13). The team suffered another blow when centre-back Alessandro Gamberini dislocated his shoulder during the match, ruling him out of the game at the Allianz arena.
    Bayern are taking nothing for granted and, despite their recent run, van Gaal is proving hard to please.
    Having publicly criticised the team following their 3-1 win at VfL Wolfsburg and 6-2 Cup win over SpVgg Fuerth, he was complaining again following Saturday's (February 13) 3-1 win at home to Borussia Dortmund which left them level on points with Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
    Bayern will be favourites to extend their winning run in the round 16, first leg match to 13 matches, which will be played in below-zero temperatures.
    The teams have played twice before, with Bayern winning one and the other ending in a draw. The second leg of the tie will be played in Italy on March 9.
    ENDS.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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