ABU DHABI // There are several gladiators of German sport from yesteryear etched on colossal buildings in and around the UAE. The images of the tennis player Boris Becker and Michael Schumacher, the Formula One driver, can be found adorning placards in Dubai, their celebrated faces used as part of the lucrative trade of flogging real estate. As a club, Bayern Munich sells itself.
A subtle sort of friendly with Al Jazira yesterday ended in a 3-2 win for Bayern courtesy of substitute Miroslav Klose's swerving finish in injury time. Bayern shamelessly wheeled out the heavy armoury here, despite playing before a crowd that would perhaps have lacked enough fervour for even a training session back in Bavaria. Four European Cups, and over 20 German League gongs have given their followers a treasure trove of memories. Becker himself is a supporter of a club nicknamed FC Hollywood. They remain an outfit of considerable bounce. Bayern chose to deploy some sparkling brand names.
Their coach Jurgen Klinsmann began with the backbone of a squad that has carried his side to the summit of the Bundesliga alongside the unheralded Hoffenheim. Lucio, Mark van Bommel, Franck Ribery and Luca Toni were all wheeled out for fans to salivate over. Like David Beckham at AC Milan, Landon Donovan is hoping to impress in a loan spell from LA Galaxy. He was sprightly in the first half. During the German league's period of hibernation, Bayern have used their sojourn to these parts to get some sun on the knees in a particularly bleak period of weather in Europe. Their next league game against Hamburg is not until Jan 30.
They have intentions to try to carry off the Champions League this year for the first time since 2001. An impending last-16 tie with Sporting Lisbon must give them hope. The Jazira head coach Abel Braga cut an imposing but carefree character here, preferring to sack the tracksuit for a pair of jeans. Braga has his own New Year resolutions with Jazira leading the Pro League. They are apparently set fair to snaffle up a first championship, inspired by Brazilians such as Rafael Sobis and Fernando Baiano.
Baiano enjoyed a marvellous moment after only three minutes, uncorking a shot of some venom that fairly flew into the net. Bayern probed without ever getting up a serious head of steam, managing half a dozen shots before Bastian Schweinsteiger rattled in the equaliser on 31 minutes. Ribery and Toni constantly annoyed the home players. Daniel van Buyten, on for Lucio as the inevitable rash of substitutes began to take effect, discovered Bayern's second by walloping in a free-kick a minute after half-time. He restored parity by prodding into his own goal with 14 minutes to go.
A Jazira fan persisted with banging on a big drum, but you can never bring a true heartbeat to a sparring contest. It only remained decent enough fare because Bayern remain a highly watchable lot. dkane@thenational.ae
