Klinsmann insists on Bayern focus despite huge lead

Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann insists Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 clash with Sporting Lisbon is not a foregone conclusion despite the Germans’ huge first-leg advantage.

Italian World Cup winner Luca Toni and French midfielder Franck Ribery both scored two goals in Portugal two weeks ago as Bayern hammered their hosts 5-0 in the first leg.

Both Ribery, who is suffering with a shin complaint, and Toni, achilles tendon, will be missing with injuries for Tuesday’s second leg at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

And while Lisbon face a virtually impossible task if they are to make the quarter-finals, Klinsmann insists his side will not sit back.

“It looks a formality on paper, but it’s not. We can take nothing for granted,” said the ex-Germany boss.

“We need to take it seriously and mustn’t be careless. That’s something we can’t afford.”

With several top-name stars missing, Klinsmann is likely to use fringe members of his squad against the Portuguese.

“It’s the kind of match where we can have a look at one or two players, but we won’t overdo the rotation. I want to maintain the flow,” he said.

Squad players such as Argentina forward Jose Ernesto Sosa, Brazilian defender Breno, defender Andreas Ottl and reserve goalkeeper Hans Joerg Butt look set to feature.

Both Bayern and Sporting warmed up for Tuesday with comfortable wins in their respective leagues at the weekend.

Lisbon beat 12th-placed Pacos Ferreira 2-0 on Saturday courtesy of goals from Brazilian strikers Liedson and Derlei which keeps them in touch with the top of the Portuguese league as they remain four points off leaders Porto.

Bayern are up to second in the Bundesliga after they hammered Hanover 5-1 minus a host of first-choice players including captain Mark van Bommel, midfielder Tim Borowski, Ribery and Toni.

Although Czech forward Jiri Stajner opened the scoring for Hanover, Bayern defender Daniel van Buyten, striker Miroslav Klose and midfielder Hamit Altintop put Bayern in control by the half-time break.

Germany star Lukas Podolski and Argentina’s Martin Demichelis wrapped up the scoring as Bayern climbed up to second behind league leaders Hertha Berlin.