Deisler debut adds gloss to triumph

Sebastian Deisler finally put his injury torment behind him to make his debut for FC Bayern München last night as the 1. Bundesliga leaders marched into the semi-finals of the German Cup with a stunning 8-0 victory against 1. FC Köln.

Fantastic victory
The German international winger was signed last summer from Hertha BSC Berlin, but a serious knee injury has seen him spend more time on the treatment table than on the training pitch. So, his return, albeit for a 15-minute cameo appearance, added gloss to a fantastic victory for Bayern.

'Very content'
"When you're injured for such a long period of time, it is hard to describe how it is to be back on the pitch," said Deisler. "The match was not tense, but I am happy to have been in the team for the first time. I am looking forward to the next few weeks and I am very content."

Schweinsteiger on target
Brazilian forward Giovane Elber gave the hosts the lead after just eight minutes and 12 minutes later English international Owen Hargreaves doubled his side's advantage. The 18-year-old midfield player Sebastian Schweinsteiger marked just his sixth appearance of the season with his first Bayern goal in the 32nd minute, before Elber struck his second.

More goals
Rather than sit back, Bayern went for more goals after the break, with Schweinsteiger claiming his second of the night and Elber completing his hat-trick. Zé Roberto also got on the scoresheet before the returning Deisler set up Willy Sagnol for Bayern's eighth to leave Köln thoroughly dispirited at the final whistle.

'Extraordinarily good game'
Delighted Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said: "The pressure was high for us. The team was concentrated and we scored the goals at the right time. This made things easier for us." Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn added: "We knew Köln would come here with a lot of self confidence. But everything worked, nearly each pass led to a goal. It was an extraordinarily good game by us."