TNT Sports
Hitzfeld faces oblivion
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Published 25/11/2003 at 15:57 GMT
Ottmar Hitzfeld's stuttering Bayern Munich team faces a crunch battle as the Germans take on Scottish champions Celtic on Tuesday evening. After a humiliating first-round exit last season, the 2001 European champions are once more floundering in the Champ
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Old boy Giovane Elber condemned Bayern to defeat at home to Lyon and a defeat in Glasgow would almost certainly signal elimination and possibly a change of coach for the German giants.
Although the side is going reasonably well in the Bundesliga, Europe is seen as the true test for Bayern coaches, and another ignominious failure will surely seal Hitzfeld's fate.
Hitzfeld told UEFA that he recognises the seriousness of his team's plight, and that they cannot afford any more missed chances.
"Believe me, we had hoped to qualify for the next stage earlier. To leave it late puts a lot of pressure on the team," he conceded.
"Our main problem is that we missed the chance to seal it with a win against Lyon at home. We didn't and that's why we are now facing a very difficult situation. We have to win in Glasgow."
The coach is further handicapped by the long-term absence of troubled midfielder Sebastian Deisler, who last week was diagnosed with depression.
Veteran defender Thomas Linke knows that it will be very difficult to take all three points in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of Parkhead.
"It's our most difficult away game I think, because of the atmosphere, because of the sold out stadium and the fans, and because they have a good team and will put us under a lot of pressure," he said.
"They have some strong players in their side and will make use of that with long balls into the box. It will be very dangerous but I think we can do it."
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