Bayern close to the abyss
Guy Jackson, Agence France-Presse, Paris
Bayern Munich needs a miracle to beat AC Milan on Wednesday and give themselves any chance of saving their skins in the Champions League.
When the 2001 European champions slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Milan at Munich's Olympic Stadium earlier this month, they were left with a single point from three matches in Group G, which is proving to be Bayern's 'Group of Death'.
Milan in contrast top the group with a perfect nine points and the omens are not good for Bayern as they enter the intimidating atmosphere of the San Siro.
Tipped for great things this year after midfield maestro Michael Ballack and Brazilian defender Ze Roberto were recruited after a trophyless 2002, they must now win all their three remaining matches to stand any chance of avoiding crashing out at the first hurdle.
Bayern must wait on fitness tests on midfielders Hasan Salihamidzic and Owen Hargreaves, who have thigh muscle problems, and French international defender Willy Sagnol who is struggling with cramp.
"We need a miracle," admitted Bayern president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn did his best to rally his team- mates.
"We are going to Milan to win and I'm absolutely certain that we're going to do it," he said.
Milan's Brazilian playmaker Rivaldo will definitely miss the match after feeling pain in his thigh during a league match at the weekend but leading goalscorer Filippo Inzaghi could play after recovering from a foot injury sustained while playing for Italy last week.
A draw will not suffice for Bayern, as Deportivo La Coruna are second in the table with six points.
The Spanish side knows that if Bayern lose, a victory from their trip to French side Lens will guarantee their place in the second phase.
Events in Group F could make it a bad night for Germany all round if last year's finalists Bayer Leverkusen fail to beat second-placed Israeli side Maccabi Haifa at the BayArena.
Leverkusen have fallen apart since the departure of Ballack and Ze Roberto to Bayern. Struggling in the Bundesliga, Klaus Toppmoller's team are bottom of the group with three points and so desperately need to repeat their win against the Israelis earlier this month.
With nine points out of nine, 1999 winner Manchester United is almost home and dry in that group and the trip to Greek side Olympiakos will hold little fear even without striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
The Dutch striker, who has scored nine goals this season, is being rested in an attempt to heal a recurring hamstring injury, so Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Diego Forlan could start in attack against a side who have taken three points so far.
Juventus, Feyenoord and Dynamo Kiev are fighting for the two qualification places in Group E.