Bayern looking forward to match against Nuremberg

The smiles are back at Bayern. Centre-back Holger Badstuber, heartily mocked by Arjen Robben on Monday for a failed attempt at a basketball lay-up in the sports hall, responded with a witty riposte. Badstuber looked equally relaxed and spirited on Wednesday, as the 500 or so fans who gathered to observe the day’s open training session at the Säbener Strasse could see for themselves.

“I’ve won back my place in the team. My aim now is to play as often as possible in the remaining games,” the 22-year-old said. Badstuber suffered a dip in form at the start of the year, partly due to the after-effects of a pelvic injury which forced him out of action for much of the autumn. Coach Louis van Gaal opted to rest Badstuber and started him on the bench for a few games, but the Germany international returned to starting duty against Gladbach last weekend and turned in a solid display.

Total concentration required

Holger is keen to pick up where he left off when FCB travel to face FC Nürnberg on Saturday. “We have to defend third place!” he declared. Although Bayern are confident of taking maximum points, the men from Munich will definitely not underestimate their Bavarian neighbours, who are enjoying one of their best seasons in years: “It’ll be very difficult. Nürnberg will be really up for it,” predicted Badstuber. The game would call for “total concentration”.

One of the danger men fielded by the Nuremberg outfit is actually a Bayern player, namely Mehmet Ekici. The Munich-born player with Turkish roots is on loan to Nürnberg and has excelled for the Franconia side this term, with three goals and eight assists to his name. Badstuber knows Ekici intimately from their time together in the FCB reserves, “and it’s great when a Bayern player makes it in the Bundesliga.” The pair could cross swords on the field this weekend, but no quarter will be given or asked. “Mehmet’s our opponent on Saturday, and we have to beat him,” the tall defender said.

Still hoping for second

Bayern would rather still be in the Champions League and DFB Cup, but the minor consolation of exiting those tournaments is the ability to focus completely on the Bundesliga. “It's perfect from a physical point of view, because you have a full week to prepare for the match,” commented Toni Kroos. However, the same luxury is available to Leverkusen, who currently occupy second place in the table – the coveted Champions League qualifying spot FCB would ideally like to claim. “Bayer are giving off an impression of great stability. It’ll be incredibly difficult to catch them,” mused Kroos, although the midfielder spoke those words with at least a spark of hope in his voice.