Last year, Bayern Munich started the German season with six straight wins and cruised to the Bundesliga title.
This year, Bayern added German striker Lukas Podolski, named the top young player at the 2006 World Cup, and was expected to again dominate. Unfortunately, it finds itself in a five-way tie for first place with only three wins in six games, and Coach Felix Magath is blaming his attack for his team’s poor start.
Magath criticized Roy Makaay and Podolski for playing too passively after the defending champion’s 1-0 loss to last-place Wolfsburg last Saturday.
“It’s become clear what’s not working for us this season,” Magath told magazine Sport Bild. “Our attack lacks the ability to assert itself. It needs to show more class and just simply score more goals.”
Bayern has scored only seven goals in six league games. Makaay has scored two, but Podolski has yet to score.
Magath says he planned on special training sessions for Makaay and Podolski to increase their aggressiveness. Magath says the only forward who has been aggressive enough is Peruvian Claudio Pizarro.
“Pizarro has many times more duels than Roy or Poldi,” Magath said.
PREACHER ANDREWS. Trinidad & Tobago defender Marvin Andrews has joined Raith Rovers, a Scottish Second Division (third level) club, rather than sign with English Premier League club Reading so he can be close to the church at which he preaches.
The 30-year-old Soca Warrior spent two years with Raith, then moved to Livingston and Rangers, before being released by Rangers in the offseason. Raith is based in the Fife town of Kirkcaldy, where Andrews preaches at the Zion Praise International Church. Andrews claims he used the power of prayer to heal an ACL tear in his knee and return to action in a matter of weeks last season.