Last weekend, Bayern escaped with a narrow win against Karlsruhe; 1-0. Mid week they walked into the Champions League challenge against Fiorentina with a little more confidence and that confidence helped them walk away with a 3-0 win. Saturday, they want to keep that momentum going forward when they take on their former coaches team, VfL Wolfsburg.
The team is feeling very motivated to carry the momentum forward. "We want to carry on where we’ve just left off. We know he’ll never come here and surrender the points without a fight. Felix Magath would be only to pleased to trip us up." Bastian Schweinsteiger said.
The game is a crucial one for Bayern. Not only are they facing fifth spot Wolfsburg, but they're also facing a team who has a coach that knows that team inside out. Schweinsteiger is more determined than ever to win. Who could blame him. If you remember back in the day when Schweinsteiger first started playing, his first Bundesliga goal came on September 13, 2003 and it came in Wolfsburg. And he remembers every detail.
"Left-footed, low into the bottom right corner to make it 1-1. Simon Jentzsch was the keeper." It's no suprise that Bayern are trying to keep him on after his contract expires and Schweinsteiger says his first loyalty is to the club and he's sure they'll work something out. He has made some changes in his personal life, including changing homes, a not so new anymore girlfriend and a new agent, all of which he thinks have helped him.
The key is that Schweinsteiger generally plays a really good game when it comes to Wolfsburg and he's looking forward to this match as well. He's getting more respect on the pitch and the locker room where teammates are starting to take him and his opinions more seriously. Much like Philipp Lahm.
For the clash against Wolfsburg, it will be imperative that all players are in top form since Bayern's side will be missing Lahm who is out on an undetermined layoff. He injured his right ankle against Fiorentina and its uncertain how long he'll be out, but they are talking about four weeks, possibly longer. Now, the news comes that Luca Toni won't be able to play either. He's looking to be out the next two to three games. Which means that Podolski will have the opportunity to make a go at getting into the line up. Against Fiorentina, Toni played until he couldn't possibly play anymore. "I played until the pain became unbearable. It was the right call to make way for a player in better shape than myself." Toni commented after being subbed by Podolski.
Podolski will now line up along side Miroslav Klose against Wolfsburg. And what does the Captain have to say about the results against Fiorentina and the upcoming match against Wolfsburg? "We were very lucky not to concede at least one goal against Fiorentina. There's a lot we have to improve on." Can't say I disagree with Mark on that one.