Bayern Munich in Second Place
Luca Toni's Stoppage Time Goal Puts Side in Prime Position
Dec 10, 2008
Almost halfway through the Bundesliga schedule, FC Bayern Munich is within arms reach of winning its third German title in four years.
A stoppage time goal by Luca Toni on Saturday sprung Munich to a 2-1 victory over league-leader 1899 Hoffenheim, separating the two teams by just four goals.
Toni has certainly been the catalyst for the men in red. Toni seems to have picked up right where he left off before missing four games due to injury, as the Italian national has netted eight goals in 12 Bundesliga games.
Despite going 1-0 down in four of their wins this season, Munich team manager Jürgen Klinsmann seems to have his whole team playing an inspired football.
Olic to Bayern?
Team management also recently confirmed that the club is interested in acquiring dangerous striker Ivica Olic from Hamburger SV, a move that would add another dimension to the Munich attack that already features such weapons as Toni, Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski, crafty midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and French footballer of the year, Franck Ribery.
Munich still has a tough road ahead with VfB Stuttgart, Hamburger and Borussia Dortmund.
If Wednesday's 3-2 victory over Lyon was any indication, Munich is also expecting to make quite a run in the UEFA Champions League as well.
Despite their loss to Munich, which would have ended in a 1-1 draw if not for the late mistake by Andreas Ibertsberger, Hoffenheim still remains atop the standings, in a good position to thwart the defending champs plans to repeat.
1889 Hoffenheim still on top
Hoffenheim has a much easier immediate schedule ahead compared to Bayern, with FC Schalke 04 and Energie Cottbus at home, then Bor. Mönchengladbach on the road before what is shaping up to be a huge showdown against Bayer Leverkusen.
The match against Leverkusen is at home as well, which is good news for Hoffenheim who is 7-0-1 at home and has managed just a 4-4-0 record on the road,
Hoffenheim will also undoubtedly be given a boost by the return of goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand.
Hildebrand is expected back with Hoffenheim after his contract at FC Valencia in Spain's La Liga expires in January.
Hildenbrand will compete with Ramazan Özcan and Daniel Haas for playing time upon his return to the Bundesliga. Hildenbrand had fallen out of favor in Valencia, and has been demoted to the third-string goalkeeper.
Below Munich and Hoffenheim is a logjam of teams fighting for third place and a qualifying spot in the Champions League.
Leverkusen currently holds the rights to that spot with 31 points, with Hertha BSC and Hamburger are nipping on their heels with 30 points.
