Peruvian late show keeps Bayern clear at top

Claudio Pizarro snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to keep Bayern Munich five points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after a 2-1 win over Arminia Bielefeld.

The Peruvian netted twice inside the last 10 minutes after Isaac Boakye had put Arminia Bielefeld on the way to what looked like being a famous victory.

Pizarro's 82nd-minute equaliser was classic Bayern, sweeping home from a clinical counter-attack, but his second owed everything to a stoppage-time blunder from Heiko Westermann.

The first half brought little clue of the drama to unfold as both sides failed to carve out a significant opening.

Pizarro sent a 30-yard blast over the bar in the second minute before Mathias Hain dealt easily with a Roy Makaay free-kick.

A low shot from Lucio also failed to threaten the Bielefeld keeper, who was barely tested in the opening period.

Bielefeld saw a penalty appeal waved away half-an-hour in when Sibusiso Zuma's spectacular run was ended by Bayern keeper Oliver Kahn - the referee indicating the South African had lost his footing.

Bayern introduced Sebastian Deisler for the disappointing Bastian Schweinsteiger at half-time but it was the hosts who broke the deadlock thanks to the dynamic duo of Zuma and Boakye, with the latter firing home Zuma's clever cut-back.

Kahn needed all his agility to stop Zuma bagging a goal for himself, a save that proved crucial as Bayern gained a foothold in the game - although Willy Sagnol almost put through his own net.

The champions' pressure eventually told, as Paolo Guerrero burst down the right flank before chipping a cross to Pizarro, whose low shot gave Hain no chance.

However, the keeper did himself proud with a brilliant reflex save from Pizarro's header but he was again helpless in the 92nd minute when Westermann gifted the ball to Guerrero whose deflected shot landed right at the feet of Pizarro, who couldn't miss.

Awarded by Fox Sports

Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro will be awarded as the best latin american player by the broadcaster FOX Sports, in a ceremony that will take place in Miami, on december 5th.

Fox based the election in a poll where public voted in the Internet. Pizarro's achievement is remarkable because he won over all the argentinian players that successfully perform in Europe. In the candidates list there were no brazilian included.

Pizarro arrived at Bayern in 2001 and has scored more than 74 goals already.

Congratulations Claudio.

Golden Pair

Former Bremen player Claudio Pizarro then stole the show with the Peruvian international putting Bayern ahead on 34 minutes and then showing great skill to set up strike partner Roy Makaay 10 minutes later.
Claudio Pizarro and Roy Makaay then both netted to give Bayern a 3-1 lead at half-time, an advantage they defended throughout the second half.

It Will Enter

Capello has decisions to make after the Milan debacle. Goalkeeper Christian Abbiati has a minor knee ailment but may not be preferred to Antonio Chimenti after his howler in Munich. Patrick Vieira will start and resume his midfield partnership with Emerson.

With Roque Santa Cruz out for the rest of the season with cruciate knee ligament damage, Bayern will turn to Peruvian Claudio Pizarro for goals. "We saw enough from Claudio in Köln on Saturday to be confident he’s heading in the right direction," said defender Wily Sagnol before the game. However, with doubts remaining about the current state of the Bayern frontline, the Germans will be hoping that midfielders such as Michael Ballack and Martin Demichelis can weigh in from deeper positions.


POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Juventus: Chimenti; Blasi, Thuram, F. Cannavaro, Zambrotta; Camoranesi, Vieira, Emerson, Nedved; Ibrahimovic, Trezeguet.

Bayern: Kahn; Sagnol, Lucio, Ismael, Schweinsteiger; Demichelis; Deisler, Zé Roberto - Ballack; Makaay, Pizarro.

Pizzarro to play against Juventus

Peruvian Claudio Pizarro trained yesterday in the attack strategy of Bayern Múnich, to be prepared for his complicated encounter with italian Juventus in the Group B of the Champions League. Pizarro didn't score in the last Bundesliga match, but he had a good performance. Coach Felix Magath confirmed the Peruvian inclusion after tSanta Cruz's serious injury, who will be out for several months. In the practice of yesterday, previous to the trip to Italy, the German team also used Paolo Guerrero as an alternative in attack, although it's not sure that he could reappear in the first squad. The DT Magath has posposed it.

Biography

Claudio Miguel Pizarro Bossio, was born 03 an October of 1978 in Callao, Peru. More well-known as the "Bomber of the Andes", "The Commander", "The Inca God" and "Incakaiser". He weighs 79 kilograms and is 1,85 mts. tall. He made his professional debut on March 26, 1996 (Depertivo Pesquero 0 - AlianzaLima 2). Pizarro played in Deportivo Pesquero, Alianza Lima (Peru), Werder Bremen (Germany) and at the moment he's part of Bayern Munich (Germany) dressing the number 14 jersey.

Since he arrived to Germany, Pizarro has won the Titles of the Bundesliga and the Intercontinental Cup, with the Bayern. In Peru, he was champion of the Apertura Tournament in 1999 with Alianza Lima.