Makaay's return to form puts Bayern among favourites

With or without Michael Ballack, Bayern Munich look credible contenders for the Champions League again now that Roy Makaay has rediscovered his scoring touch.

Makaay, normally the most reliable of goalscorers, went 13 games without finding the net following a knee injury suffered early this season, losing his place in the Dutch national team in the process.

He got back on the scoresheet in Bayern's 3-1 win over Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on November 5 and he confirmed his return to form with two in Tuesday's 4-0 victory over Rapid Vienna, his first Champions League goals of the season.

That result clinched Bayern's place in the last 16 and took them ahead of Juventus at the top of Group A on goal difference with one game left to play.

The victory was all the more impressive given that Ballack missed the game through injury.

The Germany captain, who says he wants to listen to offers from abroad in the New Year before deciding whether to stay on at Bayern, was all but forgotten as Ali Karimi enjoyed an outstanding game in the creative midfield role.

The Iranian international was well supported by Ze Roberto in the first half and Bastian Schweinsteiger after the break, while Sebastian Deisler maintained his rapid improvement by scoring for the third successive Champions League game.

It would be unwise to read too much into one performance against a side without a point in the competition after five games but Bayern certainly look to have enough talent in midfield if Ballack chooses to move on, either during the mid-season break or after the World Cup.

Coach Felix Magath was certainly entitled to brush off questions about Ballack's future.

"I'm not interested in talk of Michael going to Real Madrid," Magath said. "It's not something I have any influence over so I don't worry about it. Weeks ago people were talking about Manchester United, next week it will probably be Milan and after that perhaps Viking Stavanger."

Bayern will likely need another convincing win away to Club Bruges on the final match day to secure top spot and with Makaay back in form they will feel pretty confident.

"We really want to win the group," said goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. "It would be good to go into the winter break knowing we've finished ahead of a world class team like Juventus.

"I believe we've progressed from last year when we reached the quarter-finals. Our goal is to reach the semis and maybe we can reach the final."