Bayern face tough C.League test: Rummenigge

Bayern Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes the Bavarian giants could be in for one of their toughest ever Champions League campaigns this season.

Bayern go into their first group match against Maccabi Haifa at Tel Aviv on Tuesday knowing they have to make a positive start if they are to help erase the memory of last season’s humiliation to Barcelona.

The Spanish giants, who went on to beat Manchester United 2-0 in the final, handed Bayern one of their most painful defeats in Europe when they emerged 5-1 winners over two legs at the quarter-finals stage.

Bayern last won the competition in 2001 and since then have failed to get past the quarter-finals stage.

Already missing confirmed goalscorers Miroslav Klose, who is still not match fit, and Italian Luca Toni, who is still recovering from injury, for the Haifa match, Rummenigge believes this year will be no easier.

“This year will be harder than all the others if we want to win this competition,” said Rummenigge Monday.

France midfidler Franck Ribery, who is expected to sign a contract extension with the club after Bayern parried all attempts to sign him by Real Madrid, believes Bayern are now among the competition’s minnows.

“Around three-quarters of the clubs in Europe are better than us at the moment,” said Ribery, who is set to start the Maccabi match on the bench.

“But we’re stronger than we were last year, and tactically we’re better.”

Bayern, now coached by Dutchman Louis Van Gaal since the sacking of Jurgen Klinsmann last season, are in Group A along with Haifa, Juventus and Bordeaux.

Although on paper the Germans should be able to finish in the top two, Bayern’s poor start to the season – they are in fifth place five points behind Bundesliga leaders Hamburg – Rummenigge is not so sure.

“It won’t be easy to finish in the top two of this group,” he added.

“Haifa, Juventus and Bordeaux are all leading their respective leagues. We have to start this campaign on a positive note.”