Bayern scent last 16 berth in Champions League

Bayern Munich can take a large step towards securing a spot in the Round of 16 with a victory at home over CFR 1907 Cluj on Tuesday.

The 2010 Champions League runners-up have already booked two wins in two matches in Group E and are looking for their sixth straight home victory in the Champions League dating back to last season.

But Bayern boss Louis van Gaal continues to have massive personnel problems, even though Bastian Schweinsteiger was able to play as a substitute in the Bundesliga on the weekend against Hanover 96 while Ivica Olic (broken nose) took part in Sunday morning training and Daniel van Buyten (back) is expected to be available.

Definitely out for the four-time European champions against the Romanian title-winners will be Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery, Breno, Diego Contento, Mark van Bommel, Miroslav Klose and David Alaba.

Van Gaal even nominated Christoph Knasmuellner and Nicolas Juellich from the amateur U23 side for the bench against Hanover.

For all the success Bayern have had in the Champions League, they have struggled this term domestically, trailing surprise leaders Mainz by 13 points going into the national team break with two consecutive losses.

But Mario Gomez emerged with his first three Bundesliga goals of the season in helping the injury-riddled Bavarians to a 3-0 victory to move within 10 points of new leaders Borussia Dortmund.

With the injuries to Klose and Olic, the hat-trick by Gomez against Hanover is all the more important as the German international will be key to Bayern’s offensive attack in the coming weeks.

“I hope that the team collected some confidence today because we have some important tasks ahead. Now we have to continue where we left off,” said Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

A victory over Cluj on Tuesday would also benefit Bayern in the Bundesliga.

“Due to the situation in the Bundesliga, we have to make sure that we qualify for the Round of 16 as early as possible to put more focus on the league,” added Rummenigge.