DFB Pokal

[nachi88]

FC Bayern München coach Felix Magath is confident the Bavarian side can seal their fourth domestic double when they face FC Schalke 04 in the German Cup final.

Bayern buzzing
Bayern are buzzing ahead of Saturday's showdown in Berlin, despite losing twice to Ralf Rangnick's team in the league this season. "We missed out on winning the UEFA Champions League, but the double in Germany would make up for that," said Magath, whose charges won their remaining nine Bundesliga games to clinch the title in style.

Schalke double
Bayern's last domestic defeat was away to second-placed Schalke on 13 March when a Lincoln free-kick sunk Magath's men. Bayern also lost to Schalke at the Olympiastadion in October, a Gerald Asamoah goal giving the visitors a 1-0 win.

Magath confident
Bayern, however, are ready to buck that trend. "I simply refuse to believe they can beat us three times in one season, that is absolutely impossible," said Magath, who has no injury worries. "Furthermore, a new pitch has been laid at the Olympiastadion and that will definitely suit our style."

'No pressure'
Schalke beg to differ. "We have beaten Bayern twice already this season and I can't see any reason why we can't beat them again," goalkeeper Frank Rost said. "There is no pressure on us because we have achieved our goal of qualifying for the Champions League."

'Motivated'
Striker Ebbe Sand added: "Bayern think it is impossible for us to beat them three times in a season? I think we will have to prove them wrong on Saturday. We are well motivated for the match and I want to win my third German Cup with Schalke."

Ailton concern
Schalke have had a few problems in recent weeks, with striker Ailton the main cause for concern. The Brazilian, who top-scored for Schalke in the Bundesliga with 14 goals, announced he would like to leave the club, only to change his mind a few days later. Now he seems to have just one thing in mind. "I want to score against Bayern," he said. First he will have to be selected.

[Lance Knight]

yeaaaaaa baby i predict a 20-0 win for bayern

[Ivan7637]

28.05.2005 Jubilant Bayern overcame stubborn Schalke and some dubious refereeing to seal a twelfth DFB Cup triumph and a fifth domestic double on Saturday.

A sell-out 74,359 festival crowd at the Berlin Olympic stadium saw the best chances in the first 45 minutes fall to a dominant Bayern side, but the Reds were denied a penalty and a perfectly good Claudio Pizarro goal by nervous referee Meyer and his assistants.

Roy Makaay finally handed the Bavarians a deserved 42nd minute lead, but Lincoln levelled from the spot on the stroke of half-time after another questionable decision from the match official.

Bayern maintained their discipline and continued to boss the play, earning the poetic justice of sub Hasan Salihamidzic's 75th minute tap-in from a borderline offside position, although Makaay's world-class build-up play was worth a goal in itself.

The Dutch ace was the spark and inspiration behind the ultimately deserved success which sees Felix Magath end his first season in charge with a double dose of silverware.

Magath sent out the side which started arguably Bayern's most impressive win of the season, the 3-2 home success against Chelsea.

That meant wide berths for Zé Roberto, playing his final game in Munich colours, and designated successor Bastian Schweinsteiger, with Martin Demichelis handed the holding role.

Schalke boss Ralf Rangnick favoured a three-man front line spearheaded by controversial Brazilian Ailton, with fellow countryman and feared playmaker Lincoln pulling the strings from midfield.

The Reds tore into their rivals from the off and could have been two up before the five-minute mark, but Makaay was uncharacteristically wayward with chances provided by Pizarro and a storming Michael Ballack.

The game entered a scrappy phase after the fury of the opening, and Ballack, Demichelis and Schalke's Sven Vermant had all been booked by the midpoint in the half.

Munich were denied a clear penalty on 25 minutes when Vermant beat away Ballack's fierce drive with his hand. TV replays suggested the Belgian's excuse of self-defence was less than tissue thin although ref Florian Meyer may have been unsighted by Schalke captain and keeper Frank Rost's dive.

Ballack headed narrowly wide and Schweinsteiger warmed Rost's hands either side of the half-hour, before the Reds were the victims of poor refereeing again after 38 minutes: Pizarro netted Lucio's lovely threaded pass only to be hauled back entirely incorrectly for offside.

The Bavarians finally took a deserved lead three minutes from the interval, Makaay thumping home after a ping-pong scene in the box involving Ballack, Willy Sagnol, Zé Roberto, the upright and Marcelo Bordon.

But against the run of play, and in another contentious incident, Meyer adjudged Sagnol to have tugged at Ailton in the box and Lincoln calmly slotted the award past a fuming Oliver Kahn to make the half-time score 1-1.

Denmark enforcer Christian Poulsen saw a yellow card shortly after the restart as the much-buffeted Ballack tasted the newly-laid turf yet again, but the Germany skipper picked himself up and drilled a shot just wide of the upright with the hour mark approaching.

A simple long ball almost presented Pizarro with a golden opening but the Peruvian's first touch let him down, before the proceedings were lent a touch of comedy when the turf watering system suddenly sprang into life.

The problem rectified, Bayern returned to the offensive, although the next clear-cut chance fell to Ailton. The Brazilian scampered clear, but Oliver Kahn comfortably dealt with his tame effort and the striker was promptly substituted.

Salihamidzic replaced the tiring Schweinsteiger with 15 minutes remaining and restored his side's lead with his first touch, although the father of the goal was Makaay with a fine diagonal run and cut-back.

The Royal Blues threw everyone forward in a last effort to salvage the situation, but Bayern survived the onslaught without undue difficulty to claim a record twelfth Cup triumph.

[Lance Knight]

yea a 2-1 win good game

[nachi88]

desrevd 2-1 win. Some very poor refree calls, and poor finishing by Makaay, but still we clearly outperformed schalke 04.

[Nebeltier]

I'm glad I saw a game from Germany before the season ended! The cup final was broadcasted in my country for a first time and I think it catched an eye or two. In fact the next Buli season will be entirely broadcasted in Romania. Good match, nice spectacle and a great stadium. The pitch also stayed in good condition despite all the pre-match fears.
Deserved win, indeed. It should have been over by half-time. Pizzaro scored a perfectly valid goal in the first half and Bayern should have been awarded a spot kick when Ballack's drive from the edge of the box was handled in the penalty area. Also Schalke's goal came from a nonexistent penalty. Bayern won the game in the second half from a clear off-side, but that was poetic justice as Klinsi put it. Taking from the ecuation the refereeing (which was scandalous really) Bayern were deserved winners...clearly outplayed Schalke for most of the game.

[Ivan7637]

horrible calls... :boo: :scream: