Dreher stars on Bayern comeback

With Oliver Kahn picking up a thigh injury and second choice Michael Rensing still out with a shoulder injury, FC Bayern München were forced to field 38-year-old Bernd Dreher in goal for Saturday's Bundesliga match against VfL Wolfsburg this weekend.

Imperious style
However, any concerns that the Bayern goalkeeping coach might have lost his touch in the four-and-a-half years since he played his last league game were dispelled as he marshalled his area imperiously and helped Felix Magath's side to keep a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory against VfL Wolfsburg.

Shock announcement
When Bayern announced that Dreher would be coming out of retirement at the start of the season to provide additional cover, coach Magath felt compelled to dispel rumours that the goalkeeping coach had only been registered as a player to fulfil the minimum quota of 12 Germans in every Bundesliga squad.

Magath confident
"Bernd has been training with the side during pre-season and has left an excellent impression," he said. "He is still extremely fit and fielding him in the Bundesliga wouldn't give me a sleepless night." One can only imagine that Magath slept like a baby on Saturday night.

Quick decision
Circumstances forced the coach to field Dreher on Saturday, with Kahn having picked up a thigh problem in Tuesday's 1-0 UEFA Champions League win against Club Brugge KV and feeling the injury again in the warm-up for Saturday's match. "Oliver didn't look good when warming up and I realised that I would most probably have to take over," said Dreher, adding: "It was a question of either Mehmet Scholl or myself playing in goal and I think people decided that it was better if I played."

Easy afternoon
Dreher's last game was also a 2-0 win, in a game against FC Energie Cottbus on 10 March 2001, but he refused to take much credit for his clean sheet on Saturday. "The lads made it really easy for me," said the Bundesliga's oldest player. "All I had to do was collect a few long balls and that wasn't too difficult."

Kahn's tribute
Kahn, however, begged to differ. "Bernd is still in great condition and you can never take experience away from a goalkeeper," said Germany's No1. "He may be 38 but he is still in good enough shape to play in the Bundesliga when needed. I hope he enjoyed the experience of playing in our new stadium."

Day job calls
Dreher, meanwhile, is looking forward to returning to his normal role as a coach, where he shares responsibilities with Bayern legend Sepp Maier. "I don't expect to play any more games," he said. "It is not like Oliver has got to have his leg amputated or something. He will definitely be fit for the next match."