More of the same
Bayern counting on Elber to keep on scoring
Posted: Thursday October 15, 1998 11:36 AM
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The return of defender Thomas Helmer should improve Bayern Munich's chances Gary M. Prior/Allsport |
BONN, Germany (Reuters) -- Bayern Munich will be looking to in-form Brazilian striker Elber to continue his scoring spree as it faces three important tests in eight days.
Bayern visits Schalke 04 in the German first division Saturday, then hosts Barcelona in a European Champions' League match it cannot afford to lose Wednesday before entertaining champions Kaiserslautern in the Bundesliga the following Saturday.
The league leaders, unbeaten after seven matches this season, would love Elber to do for them what he did for his country Wednesday.
Elber, making only his fifth full international appearance, scored a hat trick as Brazil strolled to a 5-1 victory over Ecuador.
Elber struggled to adapt last season after joining Bayern from VfB Stuttgart. But he has found his feet in the current campaign, scoring six goals in the Bundesliga.
"Elber simply proved what we already knew -- that he is a world class striker," said Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
Hitzfeld hopes to welcome back defenders Lothar Matthaeus and Thomas Helmer for its clash with Schalke who have fallen on hard times since lifting the 1997 UEFA Cup. Both have been sidelined by thigh muscle injuries.
Midfielder Mario Basler, who has been nursing a rib injury, should also be back.
Bayern could do with a win to boost its confidence ahead of its appetizing Champions' League clash with Barcelona. After losing to Brondby and drawing with Manchester United, Bayern need a victory to keep alive their chances of reaching the knock-out phase.
As Bayern were warming up for a busy week, one of the club's vice-presidents, Fritz Scherer, said he would like the Bundesliga to be reduced from 18 to 16 teams to give the top clubs more time to prepare for its European matches.
"It would certainly help if we had only 16 clubs," he said Wednesday.
TSV 1860 Munich, second three points behind its city rivals after a surprisingly good start to the season, will be keen to keep the pressure on Bayern by beating VfL Bochum at home Friday.
Champions Kaiserslautern, who have lost twice already and are a disappointing sixth, host bottom club VfL Wolfsburg, also Friday.
Troubled Borussia Dortmund, a miserable 11th, will be eager to restore some pride when it hosts lowly Hansa Rostock in the last match of the weekend program Sunday.
Former international midfielder Thomas Haessler, who joined the Ruhr Valley club this season from relegated Karlsruhe SC, should again start on the bench.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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