Schalke´s Magath hits back at Bayern taunts

Schalke 04 coach Felix Magath hit back at Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich on Sunday as the war of words escalated between the two sides bidding for the league title with just two games left.

Schalke’s last-gasp 1-0 win at Hertha Berlin on Saturday left them level on 64 points, neck-and-neck with Bayern after Munich drew 1-1 at Moenchengladbach.

Bayern have a vastly superior goal difference and face relegation candidates Bochum and Hertha Berlin in the next two weeks, while Schalke face third-placed Werder Bremen and mid-table Mainz in the title run-in.

While Bayern are chasing their 22nd German league title, this would be Schalke’s first Bundesliga crown since the competition began in 1963 and their first league title since 1958.

They have finished as runners-up in the Bundesliga three times in the last nine seasons.

Munich are still on course for the domestic treble as they lead the league, face Werder Bremen in the German Cup final on May 15 and take a 1-0 advantage to Lyon for the second-leg of the Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.

“If we get two more victories, the title is ours,” said Magath after defender Heiko Westermann scored the winner at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium against Hertha.

“Then Bayern will really be all at sea and pretty nervous.

“The coach and president can say what they want, the Champions League is still playing with their minds.

“It takes away the concentration and we have already seen the first surprise (Bayern failing to beat ‘Gladbach).

“And there could be two more. I am sure Bayern will not win their last two games.”

Before Saturday’s draw, ex-Bayern trainer Magath predicted Munich would drop points and fail to win in ‘Gladbach.

There is plenty of history between Bayern and Magath: the club sacked him as coach of Munich in 2007 despite having led the German giants to league and cup doubles in the preceeding two seasons.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge mocked Schalke last week by saying the cash-strapped Royal Blues would not have the money to build a balcony in Gelsenkirchen if they won the league.

Traditionally, the Bundesliga shield is displayed from the town hall balcony in the winning club’s town the morning after the title is won.

There is no doubting Bayern have the easier run-in and their Dutch winger Arjen Robben is not concerned by the pressure.

“It’s really quite simple: if we win twice we will be champions,” said Robben.

Munich president Uli Hoeness was unimpressed with Magath’s comments.

“Nothing has happened yet,” he said.

“I don’t see what Magath has got to crow about, his side are chasing after us and have to hope that we stumble.”