Bayern Munich entertain promoted Hansa Rostock at the Allianz Arena on matchday 1 of the 2007-8 Bundesliga season.
In the 45th season since its formation in 1962-3, the Bundesliga could pass the 350 million spectator milestone this term, although that will require a total attendance of 11,194,949 or more. Borussia Dortmund, watched by an average home crowd of more than 74,000 last season despite distinctly run of the mill results, are once again likely to top the attendance charts after selling in excess of 50,000 season tickets.
In the 45th season since its formation in 1962-3, the Bundesliga could pass the 350 million spectator milestone this term, although that will require a total attendance of 11,194,949 or more. Borussia Dortmund, watched by an average home crowd of more than 74,000 last season despite distinctly run of the mill results, are once again likely to top the attendance charts after selling in excess of 50,000 season tickets.
The men from Westphalia could thus return to the top of the European pile ahead of 2006-7 number one club Manchester United, whose Old Trafford stadium attracted an average of 75,900 fans in the English Premiership. Bayern have officially calculated their budget for the coming season on the basis of a 60,000 average home crowd, although the men from Munich are hoping for a capacity 69,000 crowd at all 17 Bundesliga home fixtures.
Schalke 04, who have always filled their Arena to at least 90% of its capacity since the ground opened in 2001, could have sold 10,000 more season tickets than their self-imposed limit allows, according to Managing Director Peter Peters. A factor which could restrict the overall growth in attendances is Borussia Mönchengladbach’s relegation to the second division at the end of last season. Despite an extremely poor campaign, the Foals attracted an average of 47,488 fans to their Borussia Park home. The club most likely to finish bottom of the chart is Energie Cottbus, who have predicted an average of just 16,000 fans per match.
Naturally enough, every place at the Allianz Arena will be filled when Bayern take on promoted Hansa Rostock in the opening match of the 2007-8 campaign. The visitors will begin pursuing their solitary goal of retaining their newly-won top flight status in ebullient mood, egged on by coach Frank Pagelsdorf. “We’re not coming to Munich just to take pictures of the stadium and say a nice hello to the folk there,” the veteran boss warned.
Bayern’s expectations lie at the opposite end of the scale, as the serial champions seek to make up for a disappointing season without a trophy last year. After an almighty scare in the Cup against Wacker Burghausen last Monday, coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has ordered his men to be less wasteful with their scoring chances, a comment mainly directed at new signing Miroslav Klose. The Germany international is likely to be on his own up front, as Lukas Podolski and Jan Schlaudraff are injured, and €11m man Luca Toni is not yet fit. Young reserve Sandro Wagner provides the only recognised striking alternative.
Otherwise, the radically overhauled Bayern side will be at full strength, boasting a dazzling line-up featuring the likes of Klose, Ribery, Zé Roberto, Altintop and Jansen, five of the club’s eight headline-grabbing summer signings. The footballing spotlight at the Allianz Arena will fall on gifted France star Franck Ribery, although press speculation indicates that a good proportion of the female fans at the ground will be hoping for World Cup winner Toni to rise from the bench and show off his athletic and toned physique out on the field – perhaps with a late winner as a substitute…
German Bundesliga, Matchday 1:
Bayern Munich v Hansa Rostock
Kick-off: 3.30 pm
Stadium opens: 1 pm
Probable line-ups
Bayern: Kahn - Lahm, Lucio, Demichelis, Jansen - van Bommel, Zé Roberto - Hamit Altintop, Ribery, Schweinsteiger - Klose
Hansa Rostock: Wächter - B. Lense, Sebastian, Orestes, Pearce - Beinlich - M. Stein, Rahn - Yelen - Cetkovic, Kern
Bayern’s next match at the Allianz Arena:
On Wednesday, 15 August (6 pm), Bayern take on Spanish giants Barcelona for the inaugural Franz Beckenbauer Cup in the official farewell match for Mehmet Scholl and Roy Makaay. Bayern’s next Bundesliga fixture is on Saturday 25 August (3.30 pm) against Hannover 96.
Travel to and from the stadium / Car parks:
The first match after the summer break and the high level of spectator interest is likely to generate moderate to severe traffic congestion on Saturday afternoon. Early arrival at the ground is recommended. Car park P2 is open from 8 am. The stadium itself opens at 1 pm. We strongly recommend use of the U6 underground line, although there may be delays accessing the Fröttmaning station.
It normally takes some 90 minutes for all 11,000 vehicles to exit the car parks at the end of the match. We recommend that car drivers and their passengers remain in the stadium and enjoy the video presentation (highlights / news conference) or one of the restaurants to avoid wasted time in traffic queues.
Schalke 04, who have always filled their Arena to at least 90% of its capacity since the ground opened in 2001, could have sold 10,000 more season tickets than their self-imposed limit allows, according to Managing Director Peter Peters. A factor which could restrict the overall growth in attendances is Borussia Mönchengladbach’s relegation to the second division at the end of last season. Despite an extremely poor campaign, the Foals attracted an average of 47,488 fans to their Borussia Park home. The club most likely to finish bottom of the chart is Energie Cottbus, who have predicted an average of just 16,000 fans per match.
Naturally enough, every place at the Allianz Arena will be filled when Bayern take on promoted Hansa Rostock in the opening match of the 2007-8 campaign. The visitors will begin pursuing their solitary goal of retaining their newly-won top flight status in ebullient mood, egged on by coach Frank Pagelsdorf. “We’re not coming to Munich just to take pictures of the stadium and say a nice hello to the folk there,” the veteran boss warned.
Bayern’s expectations lie at the opposite end of the scale, as the serial champions seek to make up for a disappointing season without a trophy last year. After an almighty scare in the Cup against Wacker Burghausen last Monday, coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has ordered his men to be less wasteful with their scoring chances, a comment mainly directed at new signing Miroslav Klose. The Germany international is likely to be on his own up front, as Lukas Podolski and Jan Schlaudraff are injured, and €11m man Luca Toni is not yet fit. Young reserve Sandro Wagner provides the only recognised striking alternative.
Otherwise, the radically overhauled Bayern side will be at full strength, boasting a dazzling line-up featuring the likes of Klose, Ribery, Zé Roberto, Altintop and Jansen, five of the club’s eight headline-grabbing summer signings. The footballing spotlight at the Allianz Arena will fall on gifted France star Franck Ribery, although press speculation indicates that a good proportion of the female fans at the ground will be hoping for World Cup winner Toni to rise from the bench and show off his athletic and toned physique out on the field – perhaps with a late winner as a substitute…
German Bundesliga, Matchday 1:
Bayern Munich v Hansa Rostock
Kick-off: 3.30 pm
Stadium opens: 1 pm
Probable line-ups
Bayern: Kahn - Lahm, Lucio, Demichelis, Jansen - van Bommel, Zé Roberto - Hamit Altintop, Ribery, Schweinsteiger - Klose
Hansa Rostock: Wächter - B. Lense, Sebastian, Orestes, Pearce - Beinlich - M. Stein, Rahn - Yelen - Cetkovic, Kern
Bayern’s next match at the Allianz Arena:
On Wednesday, 15 August (6 pm), Bayern take on Spanish giants Barcelona for the inaugural Franz Beckenbauer Cup in the official farewell match for Mehmet Scholl and Roy Makaay. Bayern’s next Bundesliga fixture is on Saturday 25 August (3.30 pm) against Hannover 96.
Travel to and from the stadium / Car parks:
The first match after the summer break and the high level of spectator interest is likely to generate moderate to severe traffic congestion on Saturday afternoon. Early arrival at the ground is recommended. Car park P2 is open from 8 am. The stadium itself opens at 1 pm. We strongly recommend use of the U6 underground line, although there may be delays accessing the Fröttmaning station.
It normally takes some 90 minutes for all 11,000 vehicles to exit the car parks at the end of the match. We recommend that car drivers and their passengers remain in the stadium and enjoy the video presentation (highlights / news conference) or one of the restaurants to avoid wasted time in traffic queues.
