Bayern_Munich (0) 1 - 0 (0) Arsenal

Munich, Wednesday 14th March 2001. Kick-off 5.55pm GMT

UEFA Champs League, second stage, match 6

Preview

• The group
  It's simple, if we win we go through as group leaders. If we don't win, we will go through as runners-up unless Lyon win in Moscow. A loss is literally as useful as result as a draw.

  See champs league page for table.

  Spartak coach Oleg Romantsev has promised to do all he can to help. Romantsev was impressed by the Arsenal in our meetings this season, and described the club as "real gentlemen".

  If we win tonight, we face one of the runners-up from the other 3 groups in the quarter-final. The other 3 groups have finished now, and those 3 teams are: Manchester United, Leeds United, Galatasaray!

• The weather
  See this newsreel piece for Le Boss's comments on the possibility of the Spartak-Lyon game being troubled by the weather.

• Pop tart
  Apparently Port Vale fan Robbie Williams has invited both teams to go to his gig in Munich after the match. See zoofootball

• Arsenal team news
  We have no suspensions. Stepanovs is not eligible and we don't expect Keown or Edu to be back from injury. The big question is: will wenger let Bergkamp drive there?

  Also, will Kanu get back from Africa in time? If there's any doubt, then surely Bergkamp will travel.

  Ray Parlour, hattrick hero last time we played in Germany, missed the last few games injured, but now says, "I have been back in full training for a few days and I am feeling good. There has been no problem. Whether the manager wants to bring me straight back in or not I don't know but I am fit and I am delighted to be able to play some part. He might not want to risk me straight away but that is his decision. I am happy just to be out there." See Soccernet for more quotes.

  matchday update
  So, now we know that Bergkamp is out, injured, and that Kanu is out there with the squad and raring to go. Word has it that the Nigerian will start, presumably alongside Henry. But if things don't go easily for us we expect to see all 3 strikers on the field.

• Bayern_Munich team news
  Steffen Effenberg is suspended having been booked 5 minutes from time in the match against Lyon last week. Top quote, supplied by Adam...
  When an interviewer put it to Effenberg that, "You are suspended for the game against Arsenal because shortly before the final whistle, you got your third yellow card", Effenberg replied, "That was unbelievably stupid in retrospect". Unusual frankness, which must be applauded, from the self-confessed ginger fool.

  There are doubts over French wing-back Willy Sagnol (thigh), Sergio (hip) and defender Kuffour (virus).

  Not such good news is the return of French full-back Bixente Lizarazu from injury. Also keeper Kahn and Jens Jeremies return after serving a domestic suspension at the weekend (in Bayern's first win for yonks).

  The official Bayern site reports that Scholl will be playing Effenberg's role on Wednesday. See their match preview for more.

  update Tuesday
  Bayern confirm that Sagnol is out with a torn thigh muscle. There is "still hope" for Sergio, and Kuffour returns having made his come-back at the weekend. Sforza is out long-term, and Zickler & Roque Santa Cruz are both yet to return from injury.

  matchday update
  Keep an eye on the Brasilian Elber, who's said that Arsenal are not a big club and he doesn't respect us. The sensible betting is on him getting clattered pretty early on.

• UK TV/Radio coverage
  Live on ITV (all regions including Scotland, according to ITV site). Programme starts at 5.55pm.

• non-UK TV coverage
  
  • Germany: live on RTL (free channel broadcasting on the Astra analogue & digital satellites), prog starts 18:55 CET (thanks to John in Cologne, and Maurice, for the info)
    Note: this channel can be picked up anywhere in Europe if you have a Sky type digibox, by aligning to Astra a 19.2 and following the instructions on this web page (special thanks to Robin Ward for the info)
  • Germany: live on Premiere World. This cable channel has the advantage (for English people) that you can get the English commentary from ITV. You sometimes get the live audio feed, even when they're supposed to be "off-air" during breaks etc. (thanks to Konrad for the info)
  • Australia: delayed on SBS at 10:30 AEDT. (thanks to Stephen for the info)
  • Sweden: delayed on TV3 at 20:30 CET. (thanks to Samuel Lindholm for the info)
  • Middle East: live on MBC (on ArabSat and NileSat only). ko 8.55 Saudi time. (thanks to Yazeed Al Harthi for the info)
  • Japan: live on WOWWOW (satellite). ko 3.00am. if you can't get the channel, the Sports Cafe in Roppongi, Tokyo will be showing the game. (thanks to Dave for the info)
  • Canada: almost live on TSN (it's being shown with a 35 minutes delay, starting at 14:30 EST). (thanks to Jay for the info)
  • Finland: in full but delayed by almost 2 hours on Nelonen (TV4), prog starts 21:30. apparently Finnish TV schedulers don't like moving rthe regular shows around for the football (thanks to Pasi and Olli for the info)
  • Ireland: live on TV3 (thanks to Brian for the info)
  • Israel: live on channel 5 (cable) and channel 15 (satellite). (thanks to Andy for the info)
  • Norway: live on Viasat+.
  • USA: live on ESPN2, starts at 12.50 pm EST/9.50am PST (thanks to Lawrence & David for the info)
  • For details, and countries not listed above, see the non-UK TV FAQ

• Munich info The following useful info for travelling fans comes from Steve Powell of AISA

  Greetings to all citizens of the Gooner Republic

  The following info, provided by Dominik of Club No 12, an organisation of Bayern fans similar to Arsenal Independent Supporters' Association, might prove helpful to those travelling to Munich under their own steam:

  • Munich airport is around 30 KM north-east of Munich. When arriving follow the signs to the S-Bahn (white S on a green circle). You will see an information and ticket counter and several ticket machines.
  • I suggest to buy a "Tageskarte" which is similiar to the travel card at London. If you come in a group the best is the "Partner-Tageskarte" which is valid for five persons. There are two tariffs: Innenraum (inner circle) costs 14 Marks, outer circle 14 Marks, both zones 28 Marks. As the airport is outside the inner circle you should take for the day of your arrival as well as for the day of your departure the one for 28 Marks which is valid for both zones.
  • Public transport is especially done by U-Bahn (in particular inner city) and S-Bahn (outer districts). Every line has a number. The system is not much harder to understand as the one at London. A map can be seen here: http://www.mvv-muenchen.de/mvv_plaene/images/sbahn/sbahn.html
  • From the airport you can take either the S1 or S8. The first goes a western route to the city centre and the second an eastern route. They both take around 45 minutes to the city centre (Marienplatz, Hauptbahnhof).
  • To the Olympiastadion you have to take the U3 to the last station (Olympiazentrum) which takes around 15 minutes from city centre. From the underground station you have a 15 minute walk to the stadium in the Olympiapark. Near the stadium are no pubs! Your section will be in the north side of the stadium either on the north stand or at the northern part of the "Haupttribüne". The Haupttribüne is a normal seated area. The North stand is only in small parts covered and has the same seat/standing-system as the South stand. A description can be found here http://www.m-u-f-c.co.uk/tsj/Olympiastadion.htm

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  The following is from Peter, a British Gooner resident in Munich: I have never seen any problems here with the locals. They seem more interested in drinking & watching the game. I dare say we will attract the services of a special ploice unit, dressed in an omninous black, due to the hassle last year in EUFA final!! We might get some provocation from the Turks, there are millions of 'em here. They sell beer at the game (but don't tell you it is 'lead free'!°).

  Loads of good Irish pubs, Guenter Murthys, Shamrock, etc.. Also an English pub. I go some times to the British pubs to watch the game, but we always seem to lose, so I normally stay home and watch. The Pub with 111 beers is interesting. They are all in an area called Schwabing, not far from the Olympic Stadium! Everything is connected by the underground. The Olympic complex is also unusual, a trip up the tower is recommended (on a good day), you can get into the public area of the Olympic swimming pool.

  City centre has a church clock that has these funny things that come spinning out at 11am and 4pm, on the hour. You get the full bells form the church and lost of people sitting, lounging around watching. Depends what you like, they have a massive museum which you can spend a whole week inside, a new planetarium, IMAX. March is a bit early, but the best thing about summer is the beer gardens, unbelievable atmosphere. I suppose the pubs are all good as well as class beer. Food is pretty good if you like meat. Except that you can't buy beef any where!!!!! Usual German shops are around. Leopold Strase is full of bars, eating houses, topless bars, discos, etc,. snap

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  The number of the British Consulate in Munich is:

  00 49 (0)89 211 090

  or
  00 49 171 802 1618 for EMERGENCIES ONLY

• See also
  • NewsReel for latest and breaking news
  • Arsenal vs Bayern_Munich page for Bayern_Munich links, head-to-head stats, etc
  • AFCi for their preview

Your reports

• UK TV FAQ, including pubs list
• Non-UK TV FAQ, including channels, pubs lists, and country-specific info

• Arsenal Live. getting commentary on your computer, IRC, Real Audio, etc.
• Note also that often there will be an audio feed available from the opposition's website (most probably their official site).

• ArseWeb's highbury pages, including ticket info, getting to the ground, etc.
• AwayFans.co.uk. Stadium reviews and info. Maps, traffic reports, pub lists, info on disabled/wheelchair provisions, etc. Conference teams as well as Premiership and Nationwide.
• London football Arsenal page from a site focussing on info for fans from abroad wanting to get to matches (tickets, travel, accomodation, etc).
• From the Terrace. Each team's section includes a page on their ground, with directions. Premiership, Nationwide, and Scottish.
• AwayGuide.net. Directions, maps, pub guides. All Premiership and Nationwide league teams.
• Football Ground Guide. Lovely site, loads of info, pics, diagrams, etc
• Football Grounds of England. With capacities, record gates, and pictures.
• Football Grounds frenzy. Wonderful photos of football grounds, with a little info too. Everything apart from glitzy new grounds, and no Premiership ones. Might be handy for Cup games, and certainly nice to look at!
• FanZone. Information for travelling sports fans. directions, car parks, eateries, pubs, blah-de-blah....
• Our own Highbury pages for useful info for Arsenal's home games.