Hitzfeld faces tricky start to new Bayern spell

Recalled Bayern Munich coach Ottmar Hitzfeld could hardly face a more awkward opponent than Nuremberg for his first match back in charge today.

Bayern sacked Felix Magath and sent out an urgent call to former coach Hitzfeld after a goalless draw at home to Bochum on Tuesday left the club eight points adrift of leaders Werder Bremen and Schalke 04, who meet on Sunday.

The champions were concerned as much about the lack of good football as the league position.

It will be no mean feat if Hitzfeld manages to improve both situations away to Bavarian rivals Nuremberg.

Nuremberg are handily positioned in seventh place in the Bundesliga and possess the best defensive record in the division, with 17 goals conceded in 19 games.

They have lost just twice all season and came away with a creditable goalless draw when they met Bayern at the Allianz Arena at the start of the season.

Hitzfeld, at least, is raring to go after spending the two-and-a-half years since he was sacked by Bayern as a TV pundit.

"Hitzfeld didn't stall, he just said yes when we made him the offer," Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said at the news conference announcing the switch.

"He's going to take training on Thursday (yesterday) and then be on the bench on Friday (today).

"We need to get back to winning ways and we're convinced Hitzfeld can take care of that for us."

Hitzfeld will be able to recall Owen Hargreaves for his first appearance since breaking his leg in September. The England midfielder was close to a return on Tuesday against Bochum but Magath decided at the 11th hour not to risk him.

Otherwise, all eyes will be on whether Hitzfeld can inspire an immediate improvement in Lukas Podolski, the Germany striker who has managed just one goal in 11 league appearances since joining Bayern after his brilliant World Cup.

Victory over Nuremberg would see Bayern gain ground on at least one of their rivals, with Werder hosting Schalke in Sunday's battle of the top two. Werder lead the standings on 42 points after an excellent 2-0 win away to Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.

Schalke just managed to stay level on points after coming from behind to win 2-1 at home to Alemannia Aachen.

Werder favourites

Stuttgart, who are away to Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, are third on 35, with Bayern fourth a point further behind.

Werder's fluent attacking form means they will start as favourites in the battle of the top two.

"We'll go into Sunday's game with great heart after the performance against Leverkusen," said Werder midfielder Torsten Frings, who is suspended for the game.

"It's a shame for me not to be able to play but the lads have so much self-belief they'll be able to manage."

Fixtures

Playing Today - 20.30
Nuremberg vs Bayern Munich

Tomorrow - 15.30
A. Aachen vs Hannover
A. Bielefeld vs B. M'gladbach
E. Cottbus vs Bochum
E. Frankfurt vs Mainz
H. Berlin vs Hamburg
Wolfsburg vs B. Leverkusen

Sunday - 17.00
B. Dortmund vs Stuttgart
W. Bremen vs Schalke 04