Bayern Munich vs Basle preview - Kraft - Bayern must work
Posted Wednesday, December 08, 2010 by PA
Bayern Munich back-up goalkeeper Thomas Kraft believes it is important the team bounce back from their weekend defeat at Schalke when they host Basle in the Champions League.
The Bundesliga champions have already secured top spot in Group E ahead of Roma, who beat them 3-2 in Italy two weeks ago.
Kraft, 22, made his debut in that match and, with first choice Hans-Jorg Butt getting a rest, will get another chance to impress against a Swiss side who could still nick second place with a victory and a defeat for Roma in Cluj.
Bayern go into the game on the back of a 2-0 Bundesliga defeat at Schalke and sit 17 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.
"We don't have to win, but we want to win," Kraft said on www.fcb.de
"Because we lost at Schalke this game is important for us to get a good feeling back."
Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger added: "It is not about the table any more, but there is still something for us - that we experience a win. That breeds self-belief and that would be very important for Saturday.
After the clash, Bayern have three more games before the winter break, league games against St Pauli and Stuttgart, whom they also play in the DFB Pokal. And coach Louis van Gaal is under no illusions as to what is required.
"We have to win those last three games," he added.
Basle boss Thorsten Fink knows Bayern better than most, having played for the club between 1997 and 2003.
Despite the success he enjoyed in his time there, winning the Champions League in 2001, he insists there will be no room for sentiment.
"This will be no home game for me," Fink said on www.fcb.ch.
"I work now for Basle and my thoughts are focused only on this club."
The 43-year-old admitted, though, his side would have to be at their best to provide an upset.
"Of course it would be a sensation if a Swiss team won here in Munich," he said.
"We have to produce a perfect performance and Bayern have to play badly, otherwise it normally won't happen."
Bayern have doubts over left-sided defender Danijel Pranjic, who has a muscle problem.
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