Klose wary of cosmopolitan Steaua

Striker Miroslav Klose believes FC Bayern München must be wary of a blend of South American and European football when they return to the UEFA Champions League after a year's absence at FC Steaua Bucureşti.

Latin influence
Group F rivals Steaua's squad has a distinctly Latin look to it, with three Colombians – goalkeeper Robinson Zapata, and midfielders Dayro Moreno and Juan Toja – and an attack led by Brazilian Arthur Bernhardt. "Steaua's game is a combination of the Colombian and the Romanian styles and they are a strong team," said Klose, the 30-year-old German international. "It's not easy to pronounce the names of the Steaua players, but we know them well enough."

'We're back'
Bayern are making their UEFA Champions League comeback after spending last season in the UEFA Cup, ending a run of ten consecutive appearances in a competition they won in 2001. Add their three European Champion Clubs' Cups between 1974 and 1976 and it is easy to imagine how their absence hurt the Bundesliga club and their fans. "We don't have to keep reminding ourselves that we didn't play in the Champions League last year," Klose said. "We are back and we're aware that the first game is the most important. You have to start well in the group stage. Our objective is to win, even if the atmosphere is going to be red-hot."

Ribéry ruled out
Bayern have had their share of injuries over the summer, notably to France winger Franck Ribéry, who ruptured an ankle ligament at UEFA EURO 2008™ and remains sidelined although his return is imminent. "It's true that Franck is missing and we hope he recovers as soon as possible – but we still have a good enough team," said Klose. It is a view which has been echoed by Bayern captain Mark van Bommel. The 31-year-old midfielder is a veteran of this competition, to the extent where he cannot remember his first match. But having lifted the trophy with FC Barcelona in 2006, the Dutch international knows exactly what is at stake for the 32 group-stage contenders. "Only one team can win, so in the end you have 31 disappointed teams," he said. "You need luck, you need to avoid injuries and suspension, then you have to play well."