FCB seek show of strength against Hannover

Many people think the number 13 is unlucky – and Bundesliga Matchday 13 has lived up to its superstitious reputation for Bayern of late, as the Reds have failed to win in this round of matches for the last five years. The aim is to change that unwanted stat this season: Jupp Heynckes’ troops go into the meeting with Hannover 96 on Saturday (Live in English from 3.30 pm CET on FCB.tv Web Radio) with an eight-point lead over Schalke, “and we intend to defend that with hands, feet, teeth and claws," chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told club journal Bayern Magazin. “We're entering the crucial run-in to the end of the calendar year. This is where we set course for the rest of the season."

After consecutive draws, away to Nuremberg (“where we threw away two points," commented Rummenigge) and Valencia, victory on Saturday would “send out a clear signal" and nip any rivals’ hopes of autumn blues at Bayern in the bud. “It's about a show of strength," the chairman declared, but as boss Heynckes noted: “It's been clear to me from the start that the championship wouldn't be a cakewalk."