Bayern form sends chilling message

FC Bayern München suffered a rare setback on a largely unobstructed path towards regaining their Bundesliga title at the weekend as they failed to win for only the second time in nine outings since completing their UEFA Champions League group campaign. First knockout round opponents AC Milan will know all about slips having endured a mixed couple of months although they do go into Tuesday's first leg after securing their third consecutive victory.

Hannover 96 1-1 FC Bayern München
Having completed their UEFA Champions League group campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Club Brugge KV, Bayern found familiar form on their return to domestic action. Victories against 1. FC Kaiserslautern and at BV Borussia Dortmund took them to 14 wins in 17 matches to complete a record-breaking first half of the Bundesliga season. Felix Magath's team remain on course to match last year's league and cup double after booking a place in the German Cup semi-finals with a 3-2 victory against 1. FSV Mainz 05.

The wins will have made their training camp in Dubai all the more enjoyable, and could have influenced Willy Sagnol's decision to extended his contract at Bayern until summer 2010 despite offers from several clubs in Italy. The Bavarian side also strengthened their squad, signing Paraguayan Julio dos Santos as cover for Michael Ballack but the Germany midfielder soon showed what a void his absence would leave after a blistering start to the new year. The 29-year-old scored three in four games as the champions returned to action with ten points in four matches.

Ballack added another on Saturday to earn Bayern a dramatic last-gasp draw at in-form Hannover and leave Magath in awe, saying: "Michael Ballack is the world's most dangerous midfielder in the opponents' penalty area and he proved that again today. It was a pleasure to watch my team - they showed great fight." Magath will have been less enamoured by the sight of Oliver Kahn leaving the field on 51 minutes after suffering heavy bruising to his thigh, which leaves him doubtful for the game against Milan. Owen Hargreaves and Roque Santa Cruz are definitely out, but Lucio should return after he was rested against Hannover.

Players registered: Julio Dos Santos, Markus Husterer
Players out: None

AC Milan 1-0 Cagliari Calcio
After securing their progress to the UEFA Champions League knockout stages with a 3-2 win against Group E rivals FC Schalke 04, Milan were brought to earth with a bump as FC Internazionale Milano edged a derby victory by the same scoreline. Wins against FC Messina Peloro and AS Livorno Calcio helped Carlo Ancelotti's team recover before the winter break in Italy, but inconsistency has continued to plague them since the restart and any concerted effort to rein in runaway leaders Juventus looks all but lost.

The Rossoneri started 2006 with an absorbing 4-3 win against Parma FC. Luck deserted them in a 1-0 defeat at AS Roma, but true to form, they responded with comfortable wins against Ascoli Calcio 1898 and AC Siena. A shock Coppa Italia exit by US Città di Palermo provided another blip and sent Milan on a mini-downward spiral in which they dropped points against UC Sampdoria and S.S. Lazio.

Successive wins at Treviso FC and Reggina Calcio have apparently arrested that slide, while Alberto Gilardino's first-half penalty against Cagliari on Saturday made it three victories in a row. Jaap Stam was withdrawn at the break as a precaution, with Carlo Ancelotti reluctant for any other defenders to join Paolo Maldini (knee) and Cafu (cartilage) on the sidelines. The coach, who also rested Andrea Pirlo (flu) and Andriy Shevchenko, said: "The difficult period is over. We are improving and gained self-confidence after three consecutive wins. Now we only have to think of playing well against Bayern. We are in very good condition."

Players registered: Marcio Amoroso
Players out: Christian Vieri