Van Buyten predicts tough challenge

Posted Wednesday, October 21, 2009 by PA

Bayern Munich defender Daniel Van Buyten is expecting Wednesday's Champions League clash with Bordeaux to be a fierce affair.

The teams meet in a Group A match at the Stade Chaban Delmas with both sides on four points from two games, but with Bayern currently top thanks to their superior goal difference.

Bordeaux are third in Ligue 1 after going down to defeat at Auxerre at the weekend while Bayern are sixth in the Bundesliga, six points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg.

Laurent Blanc's side will be looking to make the most of home advantage before they travel to Germany in a fortnight's time, with the knockout phase tantalisingly close for whoever emerges best from this double header.

Van Buyten insists his team will not underestimate their French opponents and told Bordeaux's official website, www.girondins.com: "We know it will be very difficult but we can claim something from it.

"We expect a real Champions League clash, with great intensity. My team-mates are ready."

The Belgium international played in Ligue 1 for Marseille before moving to Hamburg in 2004 and then on to Bayern two years later.

He is well aware of the steps Bordeaux have made in recent years, saying: "Bordeaux are a very complete team. Beware of Les Girondins.

"Franck (Ribery) and I have a lot of experience in Ligue 1 and we have warned our team-mates.

"We must be very careful at the Chaban Delmas. We take Les Girondins very seriously."

The only previous encounter between the teams saw Bayern triumph 5-1 on aggregate in the 1996 UEFA Cup final which came only a few years after they were relegated to the second division for financial reasons.

The last few years have seen Les Girondins become one of the most successful teams in France.

Current manager Blanc was appointed in June 2007 and in his first season led them to second place before going one better last term after winning the final 11 games of the season as well as clinching the Coupe de la Ligue.

Van Buyten acknowledges the effect Blanc has had, adding: "For me Bordeaux are a stable club.

"They did not finish champions by accident. With Laurent Blanc, they have found a very good coach.

"He has improved and strengthened, it is a solid team. Les Girondins have two or three individuals who can make the difference."

Louis van Gaal joined Bayern as coach in the summer and Van Buyten admits there have been teething problems as they look to at least match their second-placed Bundesliga finish from last season.

"We have had a lot of injuries, the coach has had to make many changes from one game to another," he said.

"Louis van Gaal came with the idea of installing a new system and new philosophy. He took time to integrate these changes and some players' injuries have delayed the introduction of these innovations."

Bayern will be without Arjen Robben for the match as his comeback from injury has been delayed.