FOOTBALL EUROPEAN CUP FINAL: BAYERN MUNICH

COACH

OTTMAR HITZFELD

Age 50, Germany

Defeated Manchester United in the European Cup semi-finals two years ago en route to winning the trophy with Borussia Dortmund. Moved to Munich this season, imposing order on the personality politicking of Germany's "Hollywood" club, and is also in sight of a treble. Played for a variety of clubs in Germany and Switzerland, notably VfB Stuttgart and Lucerne, before entering management in Switzerland with Zug. Moved to Aarau, then Grasshopper Zurich, where he won two championships. Joined Dortmund in 1991, winning back-to-back championships in 1995 and 1996.

STARTING LINE-UP

OLIVER KAHN

29, Germany

Outspoken and volatile, with a tendency for high-profile "aberrations" but deservedly national No 1. Outstanding in semi- final win over Dynamo Kiev and has a presence to match Schmeichel's.

LOTHAR MATTHAUS

38, Germany

More dinosaur than veteran but still an influential sweeper for club and country. United may be able to expose his lack of pace, but his speed of thought saves most situations. Capped more than 130 times.

THOMAS LINKE

29, Germany

Unexpected choice at central defence in the semi-final, second leg, he appears to have retained his place, allowing Babbel to play at right wing- back. Uefa Cup winner with Schalke 04 in 1997.

SAMUEL OSEI KUFFOUR

22, Ghana

Religious man who joined the club as a teenager and played in a European Cup semi-final at 18. Likely to be man-marker alongside Babbel. Powerful shot.

MARCUS BABBEL

27, Germany

Almost joined United two years ago but was unable to agree personal terms (he wanted pounds 1.5m per annum). Usually in central defence, but, if the team announced by Hitzfeld is genuine, he has been switched to right-back.

JENS JEREMIES

25, Germany

One of the few German successes of the 1998 World Cup, his hard work and ball-winning provide the platform for Effenberg and Basler to shine. Moved from local rivals Munich 1860 during the summer.

STEFAN EFFENBERG

31, Germany

As gifted as he is controversial; the player United must stop if they are to prevail. Sent home in disgrace from the 1994 World Cup (he abused fans), he now refuses to play for a national team which begs him to return.

MICHAEL TARNAT

30, Germany

Probable replacement at left wing-back for Bixente Lizarazu, who is unlikely to be fit. He is good enough himself to win 19 caps for Germany. Patchy form but one to watch at free-kicks.

MARIO BASLER

31, Germany

Inconsistent but capable of brilliance, such as his semi-final winner over Kiev. Flamboyant midfielder who admires Queen Elizabeth and once provoked Bayern into hiring a private eye to keep an eye on him.

CARSTEN JANCKER

25, Germany

Muscular striker carrying the attack in the absence of the injured Brazilian, Giovane Elber. Limited technically but hard to dispossess with his back to goal, and a handful in the air.

ALEXANDER ZICKLER

25, Germany

Elber's probable replacement, he has already scored in the Nou Camp, when Bayern won there in the autumn. Recently capped as a midfielder. Very quick, as befits a man who would like to drive in Formula One.

KEY SUBSTITUTES

THOMAS STRUNZ

31, Germany

Experienced but impetuous right wing-back who has appeared to have lost his place to Linke. Made his name at Stuttgart but his childhood hero was Bayern star Gerd Muller.

MEHMET SCHOLL

28, Germany

Mercurial player of Turkish descent struggling to be fit after a serious knee injury. Started in the first leg in Kiev, lasting 72 min. Can play in midfield or in a wide attacking role.

ALI DAEI

30, Iran

Generally used as a substitute, he joined Bayern in the summer after a successful World Cup. Useful in the air. Former metallurgy student.

HASAN SALIHAMIDZIC

23, Bosnia

Has a habit of scoring vital goals, he scored at Old Trafford and in Barcelona in the group stages, and is likely to come off the bench if the final is not going Bayern's way.

THE ROUTE TO BARCELONA

First qualifying round

Progressed with a bye

Second qualifying round

Bayern Munich 4 Obilic Belgrade 0

Obilic Belgrade 1 Bayern Munich 1

Bayern won 5-1 on aggregate

Champions' League Group D

Brondby 2 Bayern Munich 1

Bayern Munich 2 Man Utd 2

Bayern Munich 1 Barcelona 0

Barcelona 1 Bayern Munich 2

Bayern Munich 2 Brondby 0

Man Utd 1 Bayern Munich 1

Bayern finished top in group

Quarter-final

Bayern Munich 2 Kaiserslautern 0

Kaiserslautern 0 Bayern Munich 4

Bayern won 6-0 on aggregate

Semi-final

Dynamo Kiev 3 Bayern Munich 3

Bayern Munich 1 Dynamo Kiev 0

Bayern won 4-3 on aggregate

European Cup record 1998-99

P12 W7 D4 L1 F24 A10

Scorers

Effenberg 5 (1 pen), Elber 4, Jancker 4, Basler 3, Zickler 2, Salihamidzic 2, Fink 1, Matthaus 1, Babbel 1, Tarnat 1.

CLUB PROFILE

Formed: 1900.

Previous name: MSC Bayern Munchen.

Nickname: FC Hollywood.

Stadium: Olympiastadion.

Capacity: 63,000.

Record crowd: 78,000 v Real Madrid (1976) and Liverpool (1981).

Club membership: 80,000.

Supporters' branches: 1,200+.

Season ticket prices: pounds 40-pounds 220.

First colours: Dark blue and red.

Change strip: Grey and red.

Price of replica kit: Adult shirt, pounds 44; shorts, pounds 25; socks, pounds 12.50. Total: pounds 81.50.

Web site: http://www.fcbayern.de

Celeb supporters: Who needs celeb supporters like Hucknall & Co?

Quality merchandise: Bomber jackets, tracksuits, socks.

Honours: League titles: 15.

National Cups: 9. Super Cups: 2. League Cups: 2.

European Cup: Winners,1974, 1975, 1976.

Cup-Winners' Cup: Winners, 1967.

Uefa Cup: Winners, 1996.

World Club Champions: 1976.

Last European Cup final appearance: 1987 v FC Porto. Lost 2-1 in Vienna.

Most capped player: Franz Beckenbauer, 103 caps.

Current foreign players: 6.

1998-99 record in all competitions: P50 W35 D10 L5

Goals for: 113.

Goals against: 36.

Leading scorer: Carsten Janker (20).

All time top scorer in Europe: Gerd Muller, 67 goals.