Bayern underline their ambition

Bayern Munich made an impressive start to the new Bundesliga season on Saturday, despite having to come from behind to beat Hamburg 3-2. The completely revamped side, which cost over pounds 9.5m to assemble to the specifications of new coach, Otto Rehhagel, quickly found their feet to make most of the running in a fast-paced match.

Bayern were the only team among the pre-season favourites to win their opening league match. Borussia Dortmund, the defending champions, drew 1-1 at home to Kaiserslautern on Friday, while the runners-up Werder Bremen could only manage a 1-1 draw against newcomers Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Bayern were grateful for a debut goal from the Austrian midfielder Andreas Herzog, who followed Rehhagel from Bremen in the close season, which levelled the match after Hamburg midfielder Harald Sporl scored in the second minute. Despite the presence of Jurgen Klinsmann, it was two of last season's stalwarts, Thomas Helmer and Mehmet Scholl, who put the game beyond Hamburg's reach.

n Basile Boli, the Rangers and French international defender, signed a two year contract with the French First division club, Monaco, yesterday. Boli joined Rangers from Marseille last season, but failed to settle.