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LONDON -- Bayern Munich is trying to downplay being the favourite. While Borussia Dortmund is eager to play up its chances to p

Posted in IYH Forums by jokergreen0220 at 00:16, Feb 24 2020

LONDON -- Bayern Munich is trying to downplay being the favourite. While Borussia Dortmund is eager to play up its chances to pull off the upset. Even before the start of Saturdays Champions League final, the German rivals are at odds in their approach to the biggest game in club soccer. Bayern is approaching its third final in four years with the self-assured calm of a team in control after a season of dominance, while Dortmund is enjoying the role of underdog. Bayern winger Thomas Mueller summed up his sides mood on Friday, saying that the matchup is just "a normal Champion League game." "Of course you get goose bumps when youre on the pitch and we know whats at stake. We wont let it drive us crazy though," the 23-year-old said. Bayern captain Philipp Lahm felt the same way. "The players are the right age now, the right character. Theres nothing against us winning tomorrow," said Lahm, who added that he wouldnt be surprised if Bayern reached a fourth final in five years next season. Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp is happy with one. "If this is the only final in my life, this is the perfect place for it, and this is the perfect opponent," said Klopp, who spoke of the honour of playing at Wembley Stadium. Klopp said it was clear his team enters as the underdog, but he added that his players were determined to make the most of their opportunity. "We will approach the game with unbridled enthusiasm, with huge motivation for the task, and with the knowledge it can all go to pieces," Klopp said. "But people have climbed Mount Everest knowing that they could fall 3 metres from the top and yet they still tried it. And thats why were going to try too, and hope for good weather." Actually, London greeted both teams with traditional British weather, and the unrelenting drizzle helped contribute to traffic problems that delayed both sides arrival for their run outs on the pitch. Klopp said the team received a police escort from the airport and "if were to make it on time for the game tomorrow well need another. So if someone knows a policeman, please ask." The buildup to the 101st competitive meeting between the two rivals has been overshadowed by Mario Goetzes decision to leave Dortmund for Bayern and reports that Polish striker Robert Lewandowski is planning to follow. For Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, the prospect of the club winning a second Champions League title -- after its triumph in 1997 -- was motivation enough. "It would be great to show the players who may be going that our team can achieve great things too," he said. Goetze is out of what would have been his last Dortmund game with a hamstring injury, sustained after just 12 minutes of the second leg of his teams semifinal at Real Madrid. Otherwise, Klopp has no injury concerns. Hummels, who failed to establish himself at Bayern after coming through its youth teams, said he was fit after recovering from an ankle injury. Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes declared all his players were fit, too, after completing what he called "the best season in 50 years of the Bundesliga." Bayern wrapped up the title with six weeks to spare and finished 25 points ahead of Dortmund -- both records in a season of many. Heynckes said that the final would probably be his last chance to lift the trophy he won in 1998 as coach of Real Madrid. The 68-year-old is making way for former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and has hinted strongly that hes retiring. "This is special for Bayern and for the team," Heynckes said. "You have players who are a little bit older and for them it would be the crowning achievement of their careers. For me too, but Im a little more relaxed about it. Theres a little more distance because I won it before." Bayern is driven by the memory of losing last years final to Chelsea on penalties -- in Munich. "We hope of course that Wembley is better and that the stadium brings us luck," Heynckes said. "Last year we were the better team. Perhaps tomorrow the football gods are with us." Vonn Bell Jersey . LOUIS -- St. Keith Mitchell Jersey . First off, the fans ripped the Cubbies introduction of a fuzzy new kid-friendly mascot named "Clark". http://www.customsaintsjersey.com/custom-tommy-barnhardt-jersey-large-1592e.html . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. Archie Manning Jersey . Patrice Bergeron and Daniel Paille scored 20 seconds apart a few minutes after Stamkos was taken off the ice on a stretcher with a broken right leg, and the Bruins beat the Lightning 3-0 on Monday afternoon. Ryan Ramczyk Jersey . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. AUBURN, Ala. -- Bruce Pearl understands if you arent sure what to expect from Auburns basketball team.Most of the roster is comprised of underclassmen and newcomers, including top recruit Mustapha Heron, redshirt freshman Danjel Purifoy and two graduate transfers.Pearl has gotten used to the mystery created by newness since taking over the Auburn program three years ago.For the third straight year, we have six or seven new guys on scholarship, so how could you possibly know as a person, as an observer, as somebody in the media or even me as a coach? he said. Part of the real challenge in building the program is just the fact that the roster has had to be reconstructed, and yet I wouldnt have done it any other way, because there really werent any other options.While it may be restructured and very new, weve got eight very, very solid freshmen and sophomores that are all good players. And so now the foundation is built and a good percentage of our team will return next year, and thats not something weve had yet.It still makes for an uncertain present even if the future seems bright. The Tigers are picked to finish 11th in the Southeastern Conference.Pearl has experienced the first two losing seasons of his 21-year head coaching career since taking over Auburns downtrodden program.The Tigers were 11-20 last season amid injury problems and the early departure of star Kareem Canty. Guard T.J. Dunans is back after averaging 11.6 points in 16 games before going down with a left knee injury.Freshman Bryce Brown also averaged double digits scoring while setting a freshman record with 78 3-pointers. While the talent infusion appears substantial, Auburn must replace starting interior players Tyler Harris and leading rebounder Cinmeon Bowers from a seemingly perpetually undersized team.Auburn also brought in graduate transfers Ronnie Johnson (Houston) andd LaRon Smith, who was tied for third nationally in blocked shots last season at Bethune-Cookman.ddddddddddddHorace Spencer returns after ranking third in the SEC in blocks as a freshman, giving Auburn a couple of shot swatters inside. The Tigers still dont have a scholarship player taller than 6-foot-8.Here are some things to watch in Auburns 2016-17 seasonURIFOYS PRESENCE: Last years top recruit sat out the season after he wasnt cleared academically by the NCAA. The 6-foot-7, 230-pounder will likely play out of position frequently at power forward but could fill some of the scoring void.Hes got a really complete offensive skill package, Pearl said. Hell be a very difficult matchup.WHOS THE POINT: Injuries and Cantys early departure left the Tigers playing power forward Bowers at point guard at times. Pearl has more options now for the position, including newcomers Johnson and freshman Jared Harper.I would say that were going to get really solid point guard play, the coach said. Ronnie and Jared, although ones a senior and ones a freshman, are both really fast and really quick offensively and defensively. We should be able to fly up and down the floor with the ball in their hands. Well be hard to press.Theyre both really good playmaking guards and they can both shoot it.TOUGH SCHEDULE: Auburn has a difficult nonconference schedule that includes games with Texas Tech, Oklahoma, UConn and UAB.BIG CROWDS? Pearls promotional efforts and recruiting have generated some excitement. Auburn has sold out season tickets in three straight years for the first time in school history, though part of that is because the Tigers play in the smaller Auburn Arena now. Before Pearls arrival, Auburn had only managed that in 1999-2000. ' ' '

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