Determined Bayern seek divine start

With Bavaria buzzing with tales of the Pope's visit, FC Bayern München are looking to keep the party going by getting their Group B campaign off to a winning start against an FC Spartak Moskva team returning to the UEFA Champions League after a three-season absence.

Festival atmosphere
A quarter of a million people attended an open-air mass with Bavarian-born Pope Benedict XVI in Munich at the weekend, although Bayern coach Felix Magath warns that the festive mood could be dampened at the Fußball Arena München. "It will be a tough game and the onus is on us to collect the points because we're at home," he said. "It'd be great to get an early goal but if we don't manage that then we'll have to be patient. I can't guarantee a flowing festival of football because with international commitments the players simply haven't had enough time to gel."

Van Bommel influence
Chief among those still finding his feet is Mark van Bommel, who had trained with his new team-mates only twice prior to appearing in Saturday's 2-1 German Cup win against third division FC St. Pauli. By the end of extra time the Netherlands midfielder had played in three different positions as Magath sought to fine-tune his troops and that sculpting could yet see in-form Lukas Podolski drafted into the starting XI.

Podolski quandary
The Germany striker is still to start for Bayern since joining from 1. FC Köln in the summer, but followed up four goals in San Marino last Wednesday with the equaliser against St. Pauli having replaced Roy Makaay at half-time. It has prompted calls for him to begin the game although Magath is content to focus on his side's Matchday 1 opponents. "Russian teams are always difficult," he said. "They're unpredictable and have a habit of exceeding expectations. Spartak are a good side and players like [Yegor] Titov can't be underestimated."

Spartak preparation
Titov gave Spartak a timely boost on Saturday, returning to action after fracturing his skull in the second qualifying round triumph against FC Sheriff. He was immediately back in his stride, helping the Muscovites come from behind twice to earn a 2-2 draw at arch-rivals PFC CSKA Moskva. And rather than taking a lot out of his players, coach Vladimir Fedotov believes the derby was ideal preparation for the Bayern tie: "CSKA are very similar [to Bayern] - packed with big-name players. The derby was emotional, hard fought and played in front of a packed stadium. Tuesday will be similar."

Respect
Fedotov will be without the suspended Maxym Kalinichenko but is confident his charges can end an 18-game wait for a first UEFA Champions League group-stage victory. "We need to respect Bayern but we've nothing to fear as we have talent of our own." It is a philosophy that permeates through to his players, who seem undaunted by the fact the 71 matches they can muster between them in this competition pale in comparison with Bayern's pedigree. "Bayern are very good, like an S-class Mercedes," said Titov. "I drive a Bentley."

Probable teams
Bayern: Oliver Kahn; Philipp Lahm, Lucio, Daniel Van Buyten, Willy Sagnol; Mark van Bommel, Martín Demichelis, Hasan Salihamidžić, Bastian Schweinsteiger; Roy Makaay, Roque Santa Cruz/Lukas Podolski.

Spartak: Wojciech Kowalewski; Geder, Martin Jiránek, Clemente Rodríguez, Martin Stranzl; Radoslav Kováč, Mozart, Yegor Titov, Vladimir Bystrov; Roman Pavlyuchenko, Fernando Cavenaghi.