Audi Cup 2009: Bayern face up to acid test against Milan, Man U and Boca Juniors

In a veritable who's who of world football, Intercontinental Cup-winning foursome AC Milan, Manchester United, Boca Juniors and hosts Bayern contest the Audi Cup 2009 at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday and Thursday, but the stakes for Louis van Gaal and his team are far higher than simply adding another piece of silverware to the already glittering Säbener Strasse trophy cabinet.

For Munich, the real significance of the prestige event is as a final dress rehearsal for Sunday's DFB Cup first round tie away to Neckarelz. "We've only had three and a half weeks in pre-season. I'm piecing a team together, so I have to regard the tournament as a warm-up for Sunday," explained van Gaal: "Sunday is the more important game." In that match, Bayern intend to make the second round convincingly against their sixth-tier opponents.

All change in Milan
Wednesday's semi-finals in the Audi Cup, staged to mark the centenary of FCB's premium automotive partner, feature Bayern against Milan and United against Boca. Some 70 reporters turned out to hear all four coaches address a news conference at the official team hotel, the Westin Grand Munich Arabellapark, on Tuesday afternoon.

"We're just back from a tour of the USA and my players are certainly a little weary. But we're delighted to be taking part in this high-quality tournament," said Milan coach Leonardo. The Brazilian goes into his first season as Rossoneri boss without superstar Kaka, who was allowed to leave for Real Madrid in the summer. "We're rebuilding here in Milan, but even without Kaka we have a good team," said Leonardo, who has succeeded Chelsea-bound Carlo Ancelloti.

90 minutes each for Butt and Rensing

"I hope the crowd will enjoy watching these top teams, but I hope they recognise we're all still in pre-season," commented Van Gaal. Bayern's opponents Milan have indeed only just reported back from summer vacation, as the Serie A season does not recommence until the end of August. "Bayern will probably be in better shape than us tomorrow," offered Leonardo. "Milan are a top team. I'm intrigued to see how we get on against them at this stage," countered Van Gaal.

The Bayern coach will use the games to continue his team's bedding-in process, and also come to final decisions regarding one or two starting positions for Sunday. "All the players will have the same amount of playing time, but I won't mix things up at this stage, because I need my team to settle down," the Dutch boss said. Jörg Butt will keep goal on one day and Michael Rensing on the other, Van Gaal revealed. Franck Ribéry, Luca Toni and Ivica Olic are all sidelined with injury.

Van Gaal's debut at the Allianz Arena
The tournament offers Allianz Arena debuts for Van Gaal, and for new signings Danijel Pranjic, Edson Braafheid, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Alexander Baumjohann and Mario Gomez. "The Audi Cup is the highlight of pre-season," commented the Germany international striker, "it's the perfect acid test, before it really gets serious for the first time at the weekend. We're ready for it."

Tournament schedule
Wednesday:
6.30 pm: Manchester United - Boca Juniors
8.45 pm: Bayern - AC Milan

Thursday:
6.30 pm: Third-place play-off
8.45 pm: Final.

All matches 45 minutes each way.

Source: Bayern Munich Press