Bayern Munich's caretaker coach Andries Jonker is hoping for beginners luck - and to have his stars fit - when the defending Bundesliga champions host second-placed Bayer Leverkusen tomorrow.
This is Jonker's first game in charge as head coach since taking over in the wake of Louis van Gaal's sacking last Sunday as Bayern dropped to fourth in the league and Holland's Jonker will be boss for the remaining five games. Bayern have serious personnel problems with Bastian Schweinsteiger struggling with a sprained ankle and Franck Ribery suffering a hamstring injury yesterday.
Jonker, who was promoted after being Van Gaal's assistant, says there are 'question-marks' over both players and a decision on whether they play will only be made after the game's warm-up. To make matters worse, Dutch winger Arjen Robben is suspended after being sent off against Nuremberg last Saturday, while Germany defender Holger Badstuber is also suspended for picking up a fifth yellow card.
Leverkusen have won their last five league games and with Munich nine points behind, Bayern need to finish in the top three to stand any chance of playing in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Jonker has already made two changes with veteran goalkeeper Joerg Butt and defensive midfielders Anatoliy Tymoshchuk confirmed starters, but the caretaker coach says there will be no radical change in tactics.
"There's not a lot you can change in just a few days," said Jonker, who will be replaced by Leverkusen coach Jupp Heynckes as Bayern coach next season. "It's important we stay calm, that we believe in ourselves, and do what we want to do."
Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten and midfielder Danijel Pranjic have shaken off injuries and return to the squad. But Bayern is not a happy camp both on and off the pitch.
Bayern must finish third to go into the play-offs for a Champions League place and both Schweinsteiger and Robben have said they are not interested in the UEFA Europa League, should they fail in their bid.
Leverkusen are chasing their first win in Munich since 1989 and midfielder Michael Ballack has said a home defeat would 'hurt' the hosts as the ex-Germany captain prepares to face his old club.
With leaders Borussia Dortmund hosting Freiburg on Sunday evening, Leverkusen can close the gap to just two points - it was 12 at the start of March - to set up a tense race to the end of the season on 14 May. "We've been the best team since Christmas, we have a stable line-up, and we have the quality to match our ambitions," said Leverkusen coach Heynckes.
Jonker, who was promoted after being Van Gaal's assistant, says there are 'question-marks' over both players and a decision on whether they play will only be made after the game's warm-up. To make matters worse, Dutch winger Arjen Robben is suspended after being sent off against Nuremberg last Saturday, while Germany defender Holger Badstuber is also suspended for picking up a fifth yellow card.
Leverkusen have won their last five league games and with Munich nine points behind, Bayern need to finish in the top three to stand any chance of playing in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Jonker has already made two changes with veteran goalkeeper Joerg Butt and defensive midfielders Anatoliy Tymoshchuk confirmed starters, but the caretaker coach says there will be no radical change in tactics.
It's important we stay calm, that we believe in ourselves, and do what we want to do.
Andries Jonker, Bayern Munich caretaker coach
Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten and midfielder Danijel Pranjic have shaken off injuries and return to the squad. But Bayern is not a happy camp both on and off the pitch.
Bayern must finish third to go into the play-offs for a Champions League place and both Schweinsteiger and Robben have said they are not interested in the UEFA Europa League, should they fail in their bid.
Leverkusen are chasing their first win in Munich since 1989 and midfielder Michael Ballack has said a home defeat would 'hurt' the hosts as the ex-Germany captain prepares to face his old club.
With leaders Borussia Dortmund hosting Freiburg on Sunday evening, Leverkusen can close the gap to just two points - it was 12 at the start of March - to set up a tense race to the end of the season on 14 May. "We've been the best team since Christmas, we have a stable line-up, and we have the quality to match our ambitions," said Leverkusen coach Heynckes.
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