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Se7eN
Division 1 Rookie
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Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 1374
Location: Romania
18579 ODpoints
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Schalke in chase for second place
| Quote: |  Schalke in chase for second place
The Bundesliga title may be safely in FC Bayern München's hands but the race for places in the various UEFA club competitions still has some way to run.
Short holiday
Bayern celebrated their 19th championship with a 4-0 win over 1. FC Kaiserslautern last week and coach Felix Magath immediately decided to give his players three days off. Nonetheless, he expects three points from Saturday's trip to 1. FSV Mainz 05. "We will not take the remaining three games lightly. Actually I want to win them all," said Magath.
Ailton concern
Meanwhile, FC Schalke 04 are in danger of losing their grip on second place and automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League after only one win in six matches. They need maximum plunder from DSC Arminia Bielefeld. However, flamboyant striker Ailton is giving cause for concern.
'Lack of desire'
"Everyone who has watched him in training in the last few weeks knows why I left him out against Bayer 04 Leverkusen last week. I feel he lacks desire and I want to see him raise his performances. He must show me that he wants to be in the side," said coach Ralf Rangnick.
Sammer frustration
Another team lacking form are VfB Stuttgart. Stuttgart are currently two points behind Schalke in third place but hold just a two-point lead over Werder Bremen and Hertha BSC Berlin. After slipping to defeats at lowly FC Hansa Rostock and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach, and drawing at home to VfL Wolfsburg, coach Matthias Sammer has demanded three points from the home game against Hannover 96.
'I want a reaction'
"I want to see a reaction from my players. We shouldn't waste time talking about systems or formations. I want to see dedication and the desire to win the ball on Saturday," said Sammer.
Cup places
Elsewhere, Bremen and Hertha continue their pursuit of UEFA Cup places. Hertha will expect home advantage to tell against Wolfsburg while Bremen, in fourth, will seek a win at BV Borussia Dortmund on Sunday to keep Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Hamburger SV at bay.
At the bottom
Leverkusen welcome struggling Hansa whereas Hamburg entertain Mönchengladbach in Sunday's other match. Relegation-threatened VfL Bochum 1848 play at 1. FC Nürnberg, while relegated SC Freiburg receive Kaiserslautern in Saturday's remaining fixture.  |
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| Sat May 07, 2005 2:51 pm |
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Se7eN
Division 1 Rookie
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Joined: 07 Apr 2005
Posts: 1374
Location: Romania
18579 ODpoints
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| Quote: |
Schalke dance to Brazilian tune
Goals from Lincoln and Ailton gave FC Schalke 04 a 2-0 win away to DSC Arminia Bielefeld on Saturday to ensure Ralf Rangnick's side strengthened their grip on second place in the Bundesliga.
Lincoln converts
Schalke went into the match with a new defensive lineup and Ebbe Sand as the only true striker. Rangnick's approach paid off after nine minutes when Brazilian playmaker Lincoln was brought down in the penalty area before converting the spot-kick himself. Bielefeld pressed after the break but Schalke held on and substitute Ailton made sure of only their second win in the last seven games with his last-minute goal.
Makaay hat-trick
Newly crowned Bundesliga champions FC Bayern München extended their winning streak to seven games with a 4-2 win at 1. FSV Mainz 05 thanks to a Roy Makaay hat-trick, his second in as many weeks. The Dutch international opened the scoring on 17 minutes but Benjamin Auer equalised ten minutes from the break. Seven minutes later Michael Ballack restored the champions' advantage but Mainz hit back again and Michael Thurk tied the score again on 59 minutes. Then Makaay took control of the match and sealed Bayern's win with two goals in the last seven minutes - his 18th and 19th in the league this season.
Kuranyi joy
VfB Stuttgart kept their hopes of reaching the UEFA Champions League alive with a 1-0 win over Hannover 96. German international Kevin Kuranyi secured three important points for VfB with the only goal of the game two minutes from the end. Bayern remain eleven points clear of Schalke at the top of the Bundesliga with VfB Stuttgart a further two points adrift in third place.
Berbatov double
Both Hertha BSC Berlin and Bayer 04 Leverkusen took important steps towards the UEFA Cup on Saturday. Hertha came from behind to beat VfL Wolfsburg 3-1 to move into fourth place, while Leverkusen were always in full control of their match against FC Hansa Rostock and were comfortable 3-0 winners thanks to two goals from Dimitar Berbatov to keep them in sixth place.
Bochum trouble
Elsewhere, 1. FC Nürnberg beat VfL Bochum 1848 2-0 to leave the UEFA Cup participants with only a theoretical chance of avoiding the drop. Bochum are five points behind VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach who can sentence Bochum and Rostock to relegation if they beat Hamburger SV on Sunday. Relegated SC Freiburg slipped to a 2-1 home defeat against 1. FC Kaiserslautern. |
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| Sat May 07, 2005 7:02 pm |
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marc
Apprentice
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Joined: 08 Jun 2005
Posts: 60
Location: australia, melbourne
2605 ODpoints
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still i wanted schalke to win the title.. 
had a chance but blew it..
but hey 2nd is a great achievement..  |
| Thu Jun 09, 2005 12:38 am |
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CISCOEG6
Division 2 Rookie
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Joined: 03 Apr 2008
Posts: 333
Location: california, usa
4574 ODpoints
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old news |
| Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:58 pm |
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CISCOEG6
Division 2 Rookie
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Joined: 03 Apr 2008
Posts: 333
Location: california, usa
4574 ODpoints
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old news |
| Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:58 pm |
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