French striker Nicolas Anelka said an upset of UEFA Cup favourites Bayern Munich by Bolton would put the Premiership club on the map as a European force, following Tuesday's group stage draw.
Bayern Munich, who have had a continual presence in the Champions League for a decade and a half, are in the second-tier UEFA Cup this time and would look a tough draw but Anelka saw the positive side of playing the German giants.
Anelka told the Bolton club website they had nothing to lose when they go to Munich next month: "I would love to go there and upset the world of football by winning. It would put Bolton on the map in terms of being a European force.
"Bayern Munich are the best team in the competition and will give us a great test in Munich. I have played at the old Olympic Stadium many times and the atmosphere is amazing.
"The new Allianz Arena, where they play now, is one of the best stadiums in the world. I haven't played there before but I'm looking forward to it. Bayern have some great players that will be a threat to us.
"My international team-mate Franck Ribery joined them from Marseille this season and he is a great talent, who has the ability to change a game."
In Group F, Bolton have home games against Portugal's Braga and Greeks Aris Salonika before trips to Bayern Munich and Red Star Belgrade, who won the competition in 1991.
"The match against Red Star will be very intimidating," Anelka added. "They always seem to raise their game in European competition and their fanatical fans are always very passionate at home. It will be a great atmosphere in Belgrade and one that the Bolton fans will look forward to."
Meanwhile Tottenham Hotspurs have been drawn against Belgians Anderlecht, the team they beat in the 1984 final, in Group G while Everton are up against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in Group A.
In Group B, Scotland's Aberdeen meet Greeks Panathinaikos and Atletico Madrid.
Each team will play two matches at home and two away with the group stage starting on 25 October and the top three of the five go through. They will be joined by eight third-placed teams from the Champions League groups for the knockout round.
(Courtesy: soccerway.com)
Personally, Bolton need to fight hard to get anything out of this game. Bayern have got quality stamped ALL over their team. Bolton are a mediocre team sprinkled with one or 2 quality players like Anelka. Still, the Bolton players are more than likely to raise their game against their more illustrious opponents. Should be a good game.
Showing posts with label Bayern Munich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bayern Munich. Show all posts
27.9.07
Cottbus stunned by Klose encounter
Bayern Munich extended their advantage at the Bundesliga summit to three points with a 5-0 thumping of Energie Cottbus on Wednesday, while champions Stuttgart got their campaign back on track with a 1-0 win over Bochum.
Germany striker Miroslav Klose was the chief architect of the Cottbus' downfall with a second-half hat-trick. Martin Demichelis and Luca Toni also notched after the interval following a goalless first period.
Over the weekend Cottbus, bottom of the league with just two points, sacked popular head coach Petrik Sander - a move that prompted furious fan protests aimed at controversial club president Ulrich Lepsch.
Sander's assistant Thomas Hossmang was asked to take the helm for the game in Munich, but refused due to his close ties with the departed coach.
Amateur team coach Heiko Weber took temporary charge, but could not prevent the league leaders romping to a comfortable win.
Roberto Hilbert grabbed the only goal of the game as Stuttgart, who managed just two victories from their first six games, picked up a much-needed win.
Hilbert struck five minutes into the second half to move Armin Veh's team up four places to ninth in the standings.
Elsewhere, new-boys Karlsruhe registered an impressive 1-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt with Maik Franz grabbing the crucial goal six minutes after the interval.
Karlsruhe were reduced to 10 men two minutes from the end when Andreas Gorlitz saw red, but the points were already safe.
Bayer Leverkusen moved up to second spot by triumphing 2-1 at Nurnberg, who remain in the relegation zone.
Steffan Kiessling gave the visitors the lead six minutes before half-time and, although a 73rd-minute penalty from Marek Mintal briefly restored parity, Tranquillo Barnetta's goal three minutes later sealed the points.
Elsewhere Hannover were 2-0 winners at Arminia Bielefeld. Szabolcs Huszti broke the deadlock from the spot nine minutes after the restart and Sergio Pinto made the game safe five minutes from time.
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