Bayern out to tame Wolves in German Cup semi

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) –

Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben (C) celebrates after their 1-0 German Cup quarter-final win over Borussia Dortmund, in Munich, southern Germany, on February 27, 2013. Bayern tackle their next hurdle in a bid to complete a historic treble when they host Wolfsburg in Tuesday’s semi-final.

Bayern Munich tackle their next hurdle in a bid to complete a historic treble when they host VfL Wolfsburg in Tuesday’s German Cup semi-final.

Having drawn Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals and been confirmed as Bundesliga title winners, Bayern are bidding to become the first German team to win the treble of European, league and cup titles.

With Jupp Heynckes standing down as Bayern head coach at the end of the season to be replaced by ex-Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola, Bayern have made no secret of their desire to end Heynckes’s three-year reign in historic fashion.

Heynckes made nine changes for Saturday’s 4-0 drubbing of Nuremberg at Munich’s Allianz Arena in the league, but the full squad was put through their paces in training on Sunday, led by captain Philipp Lahm.

Bayern will be without winger Franck Ribery, who is suspended after his red card in December’s 2-0 win over Augsburg in the Cup’s last 16, and the France star said the win over Nuremberg was an important preparation for Wolfsburg.

Wolfsburg’s Marcel Schaefer, pictured during their German Cup match against Bayer Leverkusen, in Wolfburg, northern Germany, on December 19, 2012. Wolves travel to Munich next, to face Bayern in Tuesday’s Cup semi-final.

“We’re taking these games seriously because it’s important to maintain our rhythm,” said Ribery with the final to be held at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium on June 1.

“Now we want to beat Wolfsburg and book our trip to Berlin.”

Wolfsburg’s last win at Munich was in 2009 when the team which went on to win the Bundesliga title romped to a 5-1 victory, but this season’s Wolves team struggled to draw 2-2 at relegation-threatened Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Dieter Hecking’s Wolves have won just three of their last ten games, including a 2-0 league defeat at home to Bayern in February.

They are not expected to present Bayern with too many problems with Munich clear favourites to win the cup with Freiburg hosting Stuttgart in Wednesday’s other semi-final.