Magath leads Bayern charge

By Mark Bennett

FC Bayern München are hoping to repeat their impressive midweek Bundesliga display against VfL Wolfsburg when they travel to VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday.

Seventies classic
In the 1970s FC Bayern München and VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach dominated the Bundesliga, the two sides sharing eight titles between them. But for Mönchengladbach those days are long gone, and once again the five-time German champions are fighting against relegation.

'Not easy'
Holger Fach was sacked as coach in the wake of his side's 3-0 midweek defeat at VfL Bochum 1848, and caretaker Horst Köppel steps in against Bayern. "It is definitely not the easiest start, but it will be interesting," said sporting director Christian Hochstätter.

Confident Bayern
Bayern are bursting with confidence after beating FC Hansa Rostock and Wolfsburg in the space of four days. They are within one point of the leaders and coach Felix Magath wants to replace them at the summit by the winter break. "We have got seven games left and I want to be on top of the Bundesliga as soon as possible," he said. "It would be important because it will increase our confidence level even more."

Stuttgart test
VfB Stuttgart face a tough test at FC Schalke 04, who have won all four league games since Ralf Rangnick took charge. Schalke have moved up into sixth place under their new coach and a win against Stuttgart would take them above their opponents.

'Down to earth'
"We are obviously looking for another win against Stuttgart and it's a special match for me," said former Stuttgart coach Rangnick. His side are looking to break a run of two successive defeats and coach Matthias Sammer said: "The season was perfect until the defeat in Freiburg on Sunday and after the defeat against Bremen [on Wednesday] we are back to earth again."

Northern derby
In Saturday's other matches, Bayer 04 Leverkusen visit BV Borussia Dortmund; Leverkusen have yet to win away this season and Dortmund are without a victory at home. Leaders Wolfsburg welcome high-flying 1. FSV Mainz 05, SC Freiburg take on Hertha BSC Berlin, Bochum are away to Hannover 96 and SV Werder Bremen play northern rivals Hamburger SV.

Rostock point
On Sunday, Hansa  will be looking for their first home point when they face 1. FC Nürnberg, and troubled 1. FC Kaiserslautern coach Kurt Jara needs victory against DSC Arminia Bielefeld.