|
|
Howedes denies criticising Keller after 5-0 Bayern defeat
Jan 13, 2013 3:40:00 PM
The Schalke captain has rejected allegations that his comments after their heavy friendly loss to the Bundesliga leaders were aimed at his head coach
| Bet: | Returns: | Dortmund £48.00 | Draw £37.00 | Bayern £18.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Dortmund £45.00 | Draw £34.00 | Bayern £18.30 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Dortmund £43.33 | Draw £37.50 | Bayern £18.33 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Dortmund £47.50 | Draw £41.00 | Bayern £17.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Dortmund £45.00 | Draw £37.50 | Bayern £18.00 |
|
The Gelsenkirchen side were in poor form in the Bundesliga before the winter break which caused Huub Stevens to be sacked, and their heavy loss to has increased fan concerns about their chances of Champions League qualification.
However, the Germany international clarified his post-match comments about Schalke's failings against die Roten, and attempted to address the worries of his side's supporters.
"There was no criticism of coach from me! What I meant was that, as a team, we pressed for the first few minutes but then fell back," Howedes told Bild.
"If you look at the result, you can understand the fans' frustration. But if you look closely at how we played, you can see some good stuff."
Howedes also insisted that Schalke can turn their league form around and qualify for the Champions League.
"I would not lower our expectations; I still want [to qualify for] the Champions League," he added.
"We have got a good team of coaches, who provide good training exercises for us. We have individual quality [in the squad] that is undisputed. If we can get some confidence by winning games again, we will climb back up the table."
Schalke have made it into the last 16 of the elite European competition and will face Galatasaray, with both teams hopeful of making the quarter-finals.
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets |
|
| Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached! |
|
| Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET! |
|
Related Stories
Make Your Prediction
Borussia Dortmund - FC Bayern München
Borussia Dortmund
FC Bayern München
Prediction Submitted
Most Popular Predictions
-
Borussia Dortmund 2-1 FC Bayern München
- 23.76 %
-
Borussia Dortmund 1-2 FC Bayern München
- 12.11 %
-
Borussia Dortmund 1-3 FC Bayern München
- 11.33 %
Live!
Champions League final - LIVE!
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.
4:54 PM BST
But what do the fans think? Well, yesterday Goal’s roving reporter Kris Voakes went along to the Uefa Champions Festival, which is being staged at the Olympic Park in Stretford, and he spoke with supporters from both sides.
Johannes, Munich, told Goal: "We haven't lost to Dortmund this season, and though we lost two finals [in 2010 and 2012], we are hoping the third time is a charm.
"Last year the English stole our trophy," interrupted his friend Benjamin, "but we are going to take in back to Munich where it belongs."
But Dortmund fan Nicolas says the loss of Mario Gotze to injury is not too much of a concern for Jurgen Klopp's side: “We have Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski, and yes, we will be fine without Gotze. We will win 2-0.”
Johannes, Munich, told Goal: "We haven't lost to Dortmund this season, and though we lost two finals [in 2010 and 2012], we are hoping the third time is a charm.
"Last year the English stole our trophy," interrupted his friend Benjamin, "but we are going to take in back to Munich where it belongs."
But Dortmund fan Nicolas says the loss of Mario Gotze to injury is not too much of a concern for Jurgen Klopp's side: “We have Marco Reus and Robert Lewandowski, and yes, we will be fine without Gotze. We will win 2-0.”
4:44 PM BST
However, Dortmund simply cannot be discounted. They relish the role of underdogs and are not in the least bit afraid of their illustrious rivals, having now gone six Bundesliga games without defeat against die Roten. The last time these two met in a final, in last season’s DFB Pokal, Dortmund ran out 5-2 winners. As coach Jurgen Klopp pointed out this week: “We’re not the best team in the world, but we can beat the best team in the world."
4:43 PM BST
Bayern, of course, start as overwhelming favourites to prevail this evening, and understandably so. Not only did they mercilessly batter Barcelona into a shockingly tame capitulation at Camp Nou, they are also coming off the back of a record-breaking Bundesliga campaign which they finished a staggering 25 points clear of runners-up Dortmund, whom they are unbeaten against in four meetings this season.
4:40 PM BST
So, what do you think? Who will prevail this evening? Are Bayern going to banish the memory of last year’s devastating and inexplicable loss to Chelsea at the Allianz Arena? Or are Dortmund going to defy the odds once again and go from the brink of bankruptcy to Champions League winners in just eight years? Get in touch via Facebook and Twitter and I’ll be sure to post the best comments in here.
4:39 PM BST
Finals do not get much more appetising either. What we have here tonight is a game between the two best sides in Europe this season. There is just simply no disputing that. Dortmund have been beaten just once on their remarkable run to the final (quite the feat when you consider they were grouped with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax), while Bayern have sparked giddy talk of a new era of die Roten dominance akin that enjoyed by the Bavarians in the 1970s by dismantling the likes of Juventus and, in particular, Barcelona on their way to Wembley.
Inside Goal.Com
-
The Dossier: Stop Martinez, stop Bayern
With the Mario Gotze missing through injury, Marco Reus will be charged with the task of stopping Javi Martinez from dictating proceedings in the middle of the park
-
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
-
'Mario, you will never redeem yourself'
Mario Gotze's injury means the playmaker has now played his final game for Borussia Dortmund. In an open letter, a fan tells of his emotion at his controversial switch to Bayern
-
BVB's rise from the abyss to European contenders
BVB have recovered from teetering on the edge of bankruptcy to take their place on Europe's grandest stage, humbling their opponents on Saturday, Bayern Munich, along the way
-
Champions League Final Peview: Dortmund - Bayern
Jurgen Klopp's side will be eager for vengeance after watching their Bundesliga title slip into the hands of the Bavarian giants this term
