WINNING START TO YEAR FOR BAYERN

Bayern Munich began 2006 as they ended 2005 with another win, this time a 4-1 success over third division side Rot-Weiss Erfurt in a friendly.

Over 18,000 fans turned up to see the defending Bundesliga champions in their first game of the new year before the Bavarians leave for a training camp in Dubai.

Claudio Pizarro continued his rich vein of form from the end of last year with two goals while Valerien Ismael and Paolo Guerrero were also on target.

New signing Julio dos Santos missed the game as he spent much of the day sorting out his application for a Spanish passport, but he will join the squad in Dubai.

The Paraguayan midfielder has been handed the number 19 shirt with Bayern and will train with the rest of the squad for the first time on Friday morning.