GERMANY / SPORTS: Manchester United return to Munich for the first time since the air crash in 1958

Manchester United returned to Munich for the first time since the terrible air crash in 1958 in which several of the team perished, to play Bayern Munich in the Champion's League. The match will be the first time the English club have played in the Bavarian capital since eight United players and 15 others died in the tragedy. In 118 matches over 40 years, United have played against most leading European sides but never in Munich. A minute's silence will be observed before kick off in tribute to those who perished when the plane carrying the players home from a European quarter-final against Red Star Belgrade crashed on take-off after refuelling. Team coach Alex Ferguson said the memory was an emotional part of the team's history but not one he wanted to talk about. While his opposite number, Ottmar Hitzfeld, who steered Bayern's arch-rivals Borussia Dortmund to the 1997 European Cup, knows his new bosses expect him to do the same for Munich, who have not won the cup since three consecutive triumphs up to 1976. "You can manage one defeat in the Champions' League but with two, your fate is no longer in your own hands," said Hitzfeld, whose team lost their opening group match 2-1 to Danish outsiders Brondby. "That will not mean we will have a cautious approach to the game.I want my players to play attractive, attacking football." United also need to win after a spectacular but frustrating 3-3 draw with Barcelona at Old Trafford. They will be without suspended Nicky Butt and influential midfield playmaker midfielder Ryan Giggs, who sustained a foot injury in Thursday's 2-0 win over Liverpool in the premier league. Andy Cole could well return to the line-up as attacking partner for Dwight Yorke. Bayern have won all their six Bundesliga matches so far with impressive performances along the way, most notably a 6-1 demolition of Hansa Rostock earlier this month. United manager Alex Ferguson watched Bayern win 1-0 at Werder Bremen on Saturday to stay five points clear of second-placed city rivals TSV 1860 Munich. "I thought they looked very comfortable," he said."They stepped up the pace well in the second half and I'm surprised they didn't win it earlier. "Bayern are a strong side," he added."The key for us on Wednesday will be to express ourselves.It's a big occasion but we like big occasions." Hitzfeld will be without defender Thomas Helmer, nursing a pulled thigh muscle, and midfielder Mario Basler, weakened by a bout of flu.But with 16 internationals to chose from in his squad, the Bayern coach can survive a few injury worries. Danger for United will come chiefly from Bayern's Brazilian striker Giovane Elber, in great form. He has scored five league goals already this season, earning a call from Brazil head coach Wanderley Luxemburgo. Security has been stepped up for the match, particularly to prevent drunken fans coming to the stadium.It is Oktoberfest time in Munich and many fans will probably down a few pints at the nearby beer festival before coming to the game. "Drunken fans will not be allowed in," said Bayern spokesman Markus Hoerwick."We have taken the necessary security measures and we don't think there will be any problem." Some 3,000 United fans are expected at the match. Probable teams: Bayern Munich - 1-Oliver Khan; 10-Lothar Matthaeus, 2-Markus Babbel, 25-Thomas Linke, 8-Thomas Strunz, 17-Thorsten Fink, 11-Stefan Effenberg, 3-Bixente Lizarazu, 20-Hasan Salihamidzic, 9-Giovane Elber, 19-Carsten Janker. Manchester United - 1-Peter Schmeichel; 12-Phil Neville, 6-Jaap Stam, 2-Gary Neville, 3-Dennis Irwin, 7-David Beckham, 16-Roy Keane, 18-Paul Scholes, 15-Jesper Blomqvist (or 10-Teddy Sheringham), 19-Dwight Yorke, 9-Andy Cole.

ITN Source | September 29, 1998

Tags:. .beer. .stadium. .comfortable. .rivals. .nursing