Bayern over league upset and ready to clinch quarter-final spot

BAYERN MUNICH have already put the disappointment of Saturday’s Bundesliga defeat to Borussia Dortmund behind them to focus solely on maintaining top spot in their Champions League group.

The 1-0 loss to Dortmund was a blow in Bayern’s bid to reclaim the domestic crown they relinquished to Jurgen Klopp’s men in May but they remain two points clear at the summit.

They have found life equally straightforward in Europe, with three wins from their four Group A matches taking them clear of big-spending Manchester City. A draw against Villarreal tonight would guarantee them a place in the knockout phase, while a win would secure them top spot should City fail to win at Napoli.

Coach Jupp Heynckes said: “We have big ambitions in the Champions League. It is good that on Tuesday we already have the next game. I think we digested the defeat against Dortmund and I am confident we can defend our leading position in the group.”

Villarreal have lost all four matches in the pool and need to win tonight and against Napoli to stand any chance of clinching a Europa League spot.

Defender Gonzalo Rodriguez said: “The situation is not easy, but the team has come together and we are trying to find our way.’’

Elsewhere Basle take on Otelul Galati as they look to take their bid for qualification to the knockout stages of the Champions League into their final game against Manchester United next month.

The Swiss side are currently third in Group C, three points behind United and Benfica, who meet at Old Trafford. The scenario is complicated but a victory for Heiko Vogel’s side will see them host the English Premier League champions with qualification still alive.

Galati are bottom of the group having failed to take a point from any of their four matches but Vogel denies victory is a formality and insists the game is set to be their hardest away from home.

Vogel said: “No, on the contrary. I would say it is the most difficult, it requires intense concentration and attention.

“We want to play to win to give us every opportunity of keeping the last game against Manchester United alive.”

Meanwhile Inter Milan defender Andrea Ranocchia was delighted with his team’s performance against Cagliari on Saturday and has called for more of the same in the Champions League at Trabzonspor tonight. A win in Turkey would see the Italians, who have a four-point lead in Group B, progress to the next round with a game in hand.

“We need the three points tomorrow to reach the knock-out stages,” Ranocchia said.

“It’s an important step that we must take.’’

Elsewhere tonight Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is set to give some of his fringe players a chance to seal top spot in their Champions League group when they play host to struggling Dinamo Zagreb while CSKA Moscow face Lille and Lyon host Ajax.