Bayern Munich set sights on treble glory
(Reuters)
Updated: 2003-07-04 09:36

German champions Bayern Munich resumed training on Thursday with their sights set firmly on a domestic and European treble next season.

"We want to go for, and win, the championship, the German Cup and the Champions League," said Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

Bayern won the domestic double of Bundesliga title and German Cup last season but exited the Champions League in embarrassing fashion in the first round.

The team from the Bavarian capital made their intentions clear earlier on Thursday with a broadside by commercial manager Uli Hoeness against European rivals Real Madrid, describing David Beckham's transfer to the Spanish champions as a "farce".

"This (transfer) is good for us. A farce like I've never seen. It shows you how not to do it. I split my sides laughing. In the long term it won't have any effect on the game," he said.

Hoeness described Europe's top club competition as a "major challenge" but said the Bundesliga was "most important of all".

Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld agreed.

"The championship is our daily bread and clearly has priority. Naturally, we want to defend the title but we also have a massive hunger for the Champions League," Hitzfeld said.

TREBLE-CHASING

Rummenigge did not think chasing the treble would over-stretch his squad.

"We're not going to make the mistake other clubs make of constantly talking about this pressure. We have 24 players, everyone is required to give 100 percent," said Rummenigge.

Only eight regular first-team squad players were at training since many are still on holiday, although most are expected at the training camp in the eastern city of Leipzig from July 10.

"We have four weeks and we'll be in good shape by the start of the season," said Hitzfeld.

Alexander Zickler, Robert Kovac and Roque Santa Cruz are recovering from illness or injury while Hasan Salihamidzic, out for several months with damaged right knee ligaments, is back.

Bayern, looking to strengthen their squad, are interested in buying Deportivo Coruna striker Roy Makaay and Boca Juniors youngster Carlos Alberto Tevez.

Tevez scored the opening goal as Boca lifted their third South American Libertadores Cup in four years on Wednesday after a 3-1 win over Santos.

Hoeness said it was a case of wait and see, but described the chance of signing Tevez as only 30 percent and of getting Makaay as "less than 50".

But Hitzfeld added: "We're under no pressure. We have the great advantage that our squad is in place already."