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Legendary coach Ottmar Hitzfeld's return to the coaching position at Bayern Munich started tragically - the German champions suffered a crushing defeat in an away match against Nürnberg on Friday.
3 - 0
13' [1 - 0] Ivan Saenko
72' [2 - 0] Markus Schroth
86' [3 - 0] Robert Vittek
Bayern dismissed head coach Felix Magath on Wednesday and appointed O. Hitzfeld, who led the team to the top of the Champions League a few years ago. This decision came after losing another two points in the German championship match against Bochum, dropping to fourth place in the standings and falling behind the leaders by eight points.
This time around, following a long break, the English national team defender Owen Hargreaves played for the Munich club after recovering from an injury, but he failed to revitalize the team's play and the visitors lost in the midfield battle.
In the 13th minute, Ivan Saenko broke free and scored against goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. In the middle of the first half, Bayern had a chance to equalize, but Raphael Schafer, Nürnberg's goalkeeper, saved a shot from Roy Makaay after a pass from Willy Sagnol.
The hosts attacked more dangerously throughout the match, and in the 72nd minute Markus Schroth added another goal with a header after Vratislav Gresko's cross, while Robert Vittek secured Nürnberg's victory with four games remaining until the end of the match after a mistake by the visitors' defenders.
The reigning champions of the last two years, Bayern, lost 0-3 and have only gained one point in three matches after the winter break. Furthermore, one of the leaders should further distance themselves from the Bavarian club, as Bremen's Werder and Schalke will meet at the Weserstadion on Sunday in the Bundesliga's top clash.
