FC Bayern Munich: Hamburg, Werder, Winter Transfers and More

A draw against Hamburg isn't a poor result. Bayern needed the post and Anatoliy Tymoschuk to deny Hamburg all three points.

Hamburg 0-0 Bayern

Bayern lost this fixture 1-0 last season and things were not looking up. The starting lineup remained the same with Hans Joerg-Butt in goal, Philipp Lahm and Daniel Pranjic on the flanks in defence, Holger Badstuber and Anatoliy Tymoschuk at the heart of defence, Bastian Schweinsteiger alongside Andreas Ottl in defensive midfield and Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos and Hamit Altintop in attacking midfield behind lone striker Mario Gomez.

Schweinsteiger and Ottl got overrun time and time again in midfield. Jonathon Pitroipa and Tomas Rincon did a fantastic job to ensure that Bayern rarely got the ball. Mueller did not have his best game to any standards. Altintop played well and orchestrated Bayern's attacks through the centre; also he decided not to cross too many times which was a relief.

Kroos disappointed after a great showing midweek in the Champions League. He seemed anonymous and sent Bayern's best chance over the bar. Mario Gomez did not look like scoring and was taken off for Ivica Olic, the Croatian in the creepy mask for the last five minutes.

Hamburg for their part did everything to ensure that Bayern was always on the back foot but was always denied. Lahm did a fantastic job to close down Hamburg's attacks from the left. Badstuber performed well but Tymoschuk was definitely the star man in central defence. His last minute tackle denied Ruud Van Nistelrooy. He made plenty of good tackles and thus, it is hard to figure out why he doesn't like playing in central defence.

Jonathon Pitroipa had a great chance to give all three points to Hamburg when he was one-on-one with Butt but was denied by the post in the 85th minute.

At the end, things are looking up for Bayern defensively. Bayern has 12 points from nine games. That sounds disastrous, but they only had 14 at the same stage last season. So, nobody should count Bayern out of the race yet.

Uli Hoeness Reveals Winter Plans

In all truth, it wouldn't have made a difference to anyone had he not revealed them. Basically, Bayern doesn't plan to sign anyone with the exception of a left-back. In truth, the Bayern squad is good enough, but at the moment, too many players are performing below par. This is what he had to say:

"If a right or a left full-back who can really help Bayern is on the market, then we will certainly consider it. But you can be certain that Bayern will not be making any huge investment or any major transfers this winter."

"I think the current squad is actually better than it was last year. We have players such as Breno and Toni Kroos who weren't there last season."

"The main problem is that Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben are both injured. They can always make something happen with a good individual action. We really miss them on the pitch."

Hoeness also spoke about Van Bommel's contract, which runs out at the end of this season. The midfielder reportedly wants a two-year extension, but Bayern isn't willing to offer a 33 year old more than a one-year extension.

"If he plays well, he will probably get a new contract. If he does not play well, it will be difficult. It's simple."

Bayern vs Werder

The next game that Bayern plays is on Tuesday night against Werder Bremen, the same opponents they thrashed 4-0 in May to lift the German Cup. A victory would see them reach the third round of the German Cup (DFB Pokal).

Also, Louis Van Gaal will know better this time around. In his last trip to Berlin, when he found everything in green, he thought that everybody was against his team. What he didn't know and was told by Christian Nerlinger subsequently was that green is the official colour of the DFB!

Werder's offence has started clicking as they brushed aside Borussia Moenchengladbach, 4-1 to move up to eighth in the league. However, the defence is still a complete mess as evidenced by a comical own goal by Per Mertesacker against 'Gladbach.

Naldo and Sebastian Boenisch are injured alongside first and second choice keepers Tim Wiese and Christian Vander. Sebastian Mielitz, who made plenty of good saves against Gladbach, will be in goal.

Claudio Pizarro returns to his old stomping ground, having scored his 134th Bundesliga goal and setting a new league record for the highest number of goals scored by a foreigner. He overtook...wait for it...Bayern's Geovanni Elber.

Bayern's injury list is starting to shorten. Daniel van Buyten will be back on the bench for Tuesday's clash. Miroslav Klose might make it to the bench. The German international is physically fit but is suffering from his customary cold. Diego Contento might also make the bench. Mark Van Bommel, David Alaba, Rouven Sattelmeier, Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery remain sidelined.

Prediction: Werder will have two lapses at the back, which will see Bayern through.

Final Score: Bayern 2-1 Werder