Bayern opens 'decisive' stretch at Eintracht

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03/19/2010 - Frankfurt, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Bayern Munich opens a "decisive" stretch Saturday, according to coach Louis van Gaal, although the trip to Eintracht is likely to be the easiest match over the next three weeks.

Bayern follows the trip to Eintracht with a match against current second-place Bundesliga side Schalke in the Pokal Cup semifinals Wednesday.

Stuttgart, Schalke, and Bayer Leverkusen follow in league games, on top of two Champions League quarterfinal matches against Manchester United, all in an 18- day span.

"March and April are the decisive months," Van Gaal said on Bayern's website.

Bayern is coming off what Van Gaal described as a "slightly lucky win" against Freiburg last weekend, but the 2-1 victory over the struggling German side was just days after Munich sealed its spot in the Champions League quarters.

Arjen Robben rescued Bayern against Freiburg with a pair of second-half goals, and sent his side back to the top of the league after Schalke was on top for a day.

Van Gaal still has problems with Mario Gomez and Martin Demichelis out against Eintracht, and Franck Ribery a question mark.

However, Bastian Schweinsteiger returns from a one-match suspension, and Hamit Altintop is recovered from the flu.

"We have more fit players again," Robben said.

Bayern has lost just once in its last 19 matches, a 3-2 loss at Fiorentina in the second leg of the Round of 16 in the Champions League, but the result was enough send it through on away goals with the aggregate level at 4.

With Schalke just two points behind, Van Gaal can't afford to lose any points this week with the tough stretch ahead. A win in Frankfurt could be even more important with Schalke at fifth-place Hamburg on Sunday, and third-place Bayer at fourth-place Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

If Schalke and Leverkusen fall, Bayern could pull five and six points clear of its top two challengers.

Eintracht is without a number of players, including Ioannis Amanatidis, Zlatan Bajramovic,Nikos Liberopoulos, and Aleksandar Vasoski through injury, and Maik Franz, Patrick Ochs, and Selim Teber through suspension.

Eintracht coach Michael Skibbe knows the absences hurt his clubs chances, but the 10th-place side has no other options.

"It's obvious who are the favorites and who are the underdogs. But we mustn't abandon our passion for playing football," Skibbe said on Bayern's website.

On Friday, Koln tied Monchengladbach 1-1 to open the weekend matches.

Also Saturday, Stuttgart hosts Hannover, Werder Bremen hosts Bochum, Nurnberg hosts Hoffenheim, and Freiburg hosts Mainz Also Sunday, Wolfsburg hosts Hertha Berlin.

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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