Although a 1 - 1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday wasn’t the best result, at least we were saved the ignominy of Leverkusen going 9 points clear.

The problems we’ve had all season continue to haunt us. Namely, we can’t seem to get it together on set pieces, and our crosses in to the box have much to be desired. At this point, we’re not really crossing in to the box, as we’re more likely to cross over or to cross just short of. Ugh.

I’m also of the mind that Tymoschuk and van Bommel should not be in the same starting eleven, as they essentially play the same position. And while Antoly hasn’t particularly impressed me this season, Mark’s form continues to drop. He looks more and more like a common thug to me; less and less like the Captain of Bayern Muenchen.

Wednesday’s Champions League match against Maccabi Haifa sees Bayern unable to control their own destiny. To get to the next round, we need Bordeaux to beat Juventus. Unfortunately, Bordeaux’s lost their last two Ligue 1 matches and have relinquished their spot at the top of the French table. Meanwhile, Juventus is coming off two wins.

We’ll be without Franck Ribery, who is back to training but quarantined due to his wife coming down with the H1N1 virus. He’s the second Bayern player to be personally affected this season, as Miroslav Klose was also quarantined during the international break when his twins contracted swine flu.

Arjen Robben is still not completely fit, so expect him as a second-half substitution. And (still) petulant Luca Toni, who has told the Italian media that he wants out of Bayern during the winter break, will likely be on the bench. My guess sees Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez starting up front, Mueller, Schweinsteiger, van Bommel and Tymo in the middle, with Lahm, van Buyten, Demichelis and Braafheid holding the back line.

Although it pains me to say it: Allez Bordeaux!

And, as always: Auf geht’s Bayern!