Germany round-up: Bayern back in business
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
Article summary
FC Bayern München beat TSV 1860 München to go joint top with VfL Bochum 1848.
Article body
FC Bayern München beat city rivals TSV 1860 München 3-1 tonight to go joint top of the 1. Bundesliga alongside VfL Bochum 1848, whose 100 per cent winning record ended when they were held by champions BV Borussia Dortmund.
Hard-earned win
Bayern had to come from behind for a hard-earned win after Martin Max gave 1860 a surprise lead after 14 minutes. The shock of falling behind galvanised Ottmar Hitzfeld's side and four minutes before half-time Bosnia-Herzegovnian international Hasan Salihamidzic's goal drew them level.
Elber clincher
Eight minutes after the break Peruvian marksman Claudio Pizarro put Bayern ahead and the three points were confirmed on 76 minutes when Brazilian forward Giovane Elber slotted his side's third and his fifth of the season so far. "The first half was explosive," said Bayern coach Hitzfeld. "We were sluggish in the first 15 minutes and wasted too many chances before the break. Everything's not perfect yet but we'll get better every match."
Champions League approaches
The win means that Bayern, who begin their UEFA Champions League campaign next Wednesday against RC Deportivo La Coruña, now have an identical record to Bochum, who fought out a 0-0 draw with a Dortmund side who had the better of the play. "What we have to do is live with the result, shut up and go home," said Dortmund coach Matthias Sammer after the match.
Ailton hat-trick
Elsewhere, SV Werder Bremen picked up their second win of the campaign as they comfortably beat 1. FC Nürnberg 4-1 at home. Brazilian Ailton scored a hat-trick for Bremen, including one penalty, while new signing Johan Micoud also got on the scoresheet. Sasa Ciric scored for the visitors.
Hertha's first loss
Finally, Hertha BSC Berlin fell to their first defeat of the season after three straight draws as they lost 2-1 at home to VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach. A penalty from Markus Munch and a further strike from Peter van Houdt put the visitors in control before Michael Preetz notched a late consolation goal for Hertha.
