Bayern's Elber sees return to winning ways
Bayern Munich's Brazilian striker Elber expects the former European and German champions to return to winning ways next season but feels Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 remain the teams to beat.
"At the end of next season I hope we'll be celebrating with our fans on the Marienplatz (Munich's central square), preferably having won the treble," Elber said in an interview with the club's website (www.fcbayern.t-online.de).
"We want to be champions this season and with the team we have at the moment, our chances in the Champions League aren't bad either," said Elber, who starts his sixth season at Bayern Munich after three at VfB Stuttgart.
Bayern failed to win any silverware last season for the first time since 1995, finishing third in the Bundesliga and losing in the Champions League at the quarter-final stage to eventual winners Real Madrid.
Elber said champions Dortmund and Schalke would prove the toughest to beat but did not write off Bayer Leverkusen, last season's eternal runners-up after reaching the finals of the Champions League and German Cup and who were just pipped by Dortmund to the championship.
"I wouldn't put a cent on Leverkusen. But who knows, last season no one thought they had a chance and they nearly won three titles. Football is full of surprises," said Elber, who is under contract at Bayern until 2004.
RICH PICKINGS
Leverkusen have provided rich pickings for wealthy Bayern, eager to boost their squad. Germany midfield star Michael Ballack and dynamic Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto will wear Bayern shirts next season.
Elber said: "Ze Roberto is a very good player, the fans are going to have a lot of fun watching him. I'll try and help him settle in to Munich, so that he feels relaxed quickly. I think we're going to get on really well."
Another important new arrival is Sebastian Deisler from Hertha Berlin.
Elber said the new players had given the team a boost, even though Bayern's basic formula would remain unchanged.
He cautioned: "We can't just play magic football, we also have to go into games disciplined and highly focused. The most important thing is to win. Once that's done, you can start with the back-kicks and get your magic tricks out."
Bayern are in the process of clearing out some of their players.
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said German World Cup striker Carsten Jancker was free to leave, while fellow front man Paulo Sergio is set to join Turkey's Besiktas on loan.
