Created on 12-08-2009 at 00:00 AM
The club captain and first-choice midfield enforcer is sidelined, but Uli Hoeneß is unconcerned ahead of Saturday's home opener against Werder Bremen. "We really regret Mark van Bommel getting injured. He was in great shape," the Bayern general manager said, "but Tymoshchuk will play instead, so I don’t think we have a problem. I know he’ll play well."
Anatoliy Tymoshchuk is himself convinced of the truth of that statement. The Ukraine star lost out to van Bommel in the battle for the holding midfield role, as coach Louis Van Gaal confirmed: "In our system, Tymoshchuk can't play his favoured position, because Mark van Bommel plays there." However, the newcomer is now determined to seize his chance. "I'm more than certain I can claim a regular place," he declared in advance of Ukraine's meeting with Turkey in Kyiv.
Totally new surroundings
The opportunity has arisen due to Van Bommel's broken toe, but Tymoshchuk feels no trace of Schadensfreude. "Definitely not. Any player who's ever been injured understands the situation." Before setting off for international duty, Anatoliy had wished Van Bommel "a speedy recovery," the 30-year-old revealed.