Bayern in crisis as another trophyless year looms

Playing today Cologne vs Leverkusen    16:30 Mainz    vs    K’lautern FC Augsburg  vs Hertha Stuttgart    vs    SC Freiburg Wolfsburg vs    Hoffenheim Bremen vs      Nurnberg    19:30

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Playing todayCologne vs Leverkusen    16:30Mainz    vs    K’lauternFC Augsburg  vs HerthaStuttgart    vs    SC FreiburgWolfsburg vs    HoffenheimBremen vs      Nurnberg    19:30Playing on Sunday    Bayern vs    Schalke 04    16:30    Dortmund    vs Hannover 96     18:30    BERLIN Bayern Munich is in crisis mode but it could get worse before getting better as Schalke visits in the Bundesliga on Sunday.Pressure is mounting on three fronts for the Bavarians, who are facing the daunting prospect of a second season without silverware as they go through what goalkeeper Manuel Neuer says is a "difficult period.”Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat to FC Basel leaves the club’s Champions League campaign on the brink, and hopes of a league title have suffered after just two wins from five games in 2012.Bayern slipped to third last weekend, four points behind leader Borussia Dortmund, after an uninspired 0-0 draw at bottom side Freiburg."It’s clear that the alarm bells are going to be ringing,” Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes said.Bayern had an eight-point lead over Dortmund earlier this season, but the defending champion, which hosts Hannover on Sunday, has won its last six games to remain unbeaten in a club-record 16 games.Dortmund’s Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa has recovered quicker than expected from tearing a ligament in his left ankle last week, and could be ready to play this weekend.