Bayern Munich: Leverkusen, Franck Ribery's Gift, Man City and More

The past week has a been a hectic one for Bayern. This week will be relatively relaxing for Die Roten, as they will only play one match. First of all, lets rewind:

Schalke 1-2 Bayern

Arjen Robben was left out of the squad for the game. Bayern scored two quick-fire goals through Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller. Kevin Kuranyi got one back for Schalke. Hamit Altintop was sent off in the 41st minute. Bayern held on and went to the top of the Bundesliga, a point ahead of Schalke.

United 3-2 Bayern (Bayern 4-4 United on aggregate)

The away goals rule turned out to be Bayern's saviour as Bayern knocked Man United out of the Champions League, the same opponents who they had knocked out to reach the semifinals in 2001. United took a 3-0 lead within 42 minutes through Darron Gibson's effort and Luis Nani's double.

Bayern got one back before half-time through Ivica Olic. Rafael da Silva was sent off at the beginning of the second half. Arjen Robben then scored a stunner to win the tie.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern

Leverkusen have lost three of their last four games. They were quite unlucky though to lose to Frankfurt, 3-2 last weekend. They will look to set the record straight against Bayern on Saturday. They are currently six points behind Bayern in the table, in third place. They will be missing Daniel Schwaab through suspension this weekend.

Bayern will have to shift their focus onto Leverkusen and away from Man United and Lyon tomorrow. Leverkusen play very good football and will be more focused on their own game rather than Bayern's game tomorrow.

Funnily enough, Leverkusen were the last German team in the running for a treble. In 2002, Leverkusen were in a very good position to win all three trophies that Bayern are in the running for. In the end, they won none. Bayern should try and focus on each trophy separately. They can start by beating Leverkusen.

Toni Kroos, on the other hand, will be disappointed that Holger Badstuber and Thomas Muller are having all the fun while he is sitting and doing nothing on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. He will definitely want to remind the Bavarians about his qualities.

Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 2-3 Bayern

Franck Ribery's Birthday

Ribery did not only receive a semifinal spot in the Champions League as a gift for his birthday. Alongside a cake, Bayern presented him with a pen. The members of the Bayern hierarchy would like a signature on a new contract using the pen from Ribery.

Uli Hoeness' Klose-like statement

Miroslav Klose stated before the first leg of the Champions League that Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery get far too much attention compared to the rest of the team. Hoeness echoed his thoughts recently:

"We should stop this obsession with just one or two players. Once it was Ribéry, now it’s Robben, maybe Robben and Ribéry this time. You don’t get a performance like that without 15 or 20 players, the entire squad and the coaching staff. We need to stop singling out just one individual.The players and the coach have come on together well, and what they’ve achieved together tonight isn’t bad at all."

Manchester City and Ivica Olic

Having seen Olic crash the party at the other side of Manchester, City have apparently set their sights on him. City are currently challenging for a top four finish.They look set to be the team to earn fourth place and go into the Champions League from England.

Olic is a regular starter at Munich, and there hardly seems to be any reason for him to move away from Munich. Unless of course, he wants to join his Hamburg teammate Vincent Kompany.

Hanover vs Schalke

Schalke will face Mirko Slomka and Hanover this weekend. Mirko Slomka coached Schalke to the Champions League quarter-finals not too long ago, and yet was sacked. Fred Rutten took over, but he couldn't even lead his team to the group stages of the Champions League. Hanover are currently battling relegation and their only hope of beating Schalke is Mirko Slomka's knowledge of his former team.

Prediction: Hanover 1-2 Schalke