Juventus' Pizarro Might Not Play Against Bayern

Started by Folami David, Apr 01, 2013, 05:28 PM

Folami David

Claudio Pizarro's reward for scoring four goals against Hamburg SV on Saturday could well be a place on the substitutes bench when Bayern Munich host Juventus in their Champions League quarterfinal first leg.
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The Peruvian has been used only sparingly since returning for a second stint at Bayern this season, starting only three matches in the Bundesliga and three in the Champions League.
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Bayern tend to field one out-and-out striker and, despite being 10th in the all-time Bundesliga scoring list with 164 goals, the 33-year-old is behind Mario Mandzukic and Mario Gomez in the pecking order.
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Although coach Jupp Heynckes did not name his team for Tuesday's first leg, it is highly unlikely Pizarro will start despite his efforts in Saturday's 9-2 win.
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Heynckes admitted it was a strange situation but said Pizarro was paying the price for joining a club where strength in depth is paramount.
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"It's obviously a bit unusual when a player scores four goals in game to then be discussing whether he will be playing in the next game," Heynckes, himself the Bundesliga's third all-time top scorer with 220 goals, told reporters.
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"My coach never left me out of the team but we didn't have so many alternatives at the time," he added.
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"When a player signs a contract for Bayern Munich he must know there is no guarantee that he will play in each game.
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"Obviously, on the one hand, it is not so easy, neither for the coach nor the players, but a club like Bayern must have alternatives and options, to be able to challenge for titles at national and international level."
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"That is how it is and we have to accept it."

Shola Sholaz

When I hope they won't use that as an excuse for failure since they lost the game tonight. Let them just focus on the return leg.