Stuttgart coach Bruno Labbadia has lowered the expectations ahead of tomorrow's clash with Bayern Munich at the Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Over 60,000 fans will be packed into the stadium tomorrow with the majority hoping for a win, but Labbadia has made it clear that such an occurrence would merely be a one-off.

His side is not yet ready to compete with the likes of Bayern, at least not in the long term.

"We have got to get away from the thought that we can match the big clubs financially,'' he told the Bild newspaper.

"It should no longer be said that we are Stuttgart and we are a club with a great tradition who will always be challenging at the top.

"We cannot compete financially with clubs like Leverkusen or Wolfsburg, let alone Bayern.''Indeed, only 12 months ago when Labbadia arrived only to lose 5-3 and 6-3 in a league and cup double-header with Bayern, Stuttgart were fighting for survival on and off the field.

Excesses after winning the league in 2007 had hit the club's finances hard and the results on the field were far from comforting.

"Given our recent past, we have got to take much smaller steps now than many people would like,'' added Labbadia.

"I have to follow the ethos that we must have low expectations, but it is important that our fans recognise this too.

"We have got to be honest with one another. We need to drop some of the arrogance and belief that, just because Stuttgart have almost always been challenging in recent years, that we must automatically do so again.''

That is the belief in Munich, on the other hand, and failure to challenge for the title this year after finishing a disappointing third last season is inconceivable for a Bayern fan.

Stuttgart striker Martin Harnik also fully expects them to win the league this season.

"Bayern are clearly the big favourites for the title,'' he said on the Bavarian club's website.

"Anything else would be a sensation.

"They have rarely had such a strong squad. Bayern are one of Europe's biggest clubs and everybody wants to prove themselves against them, and that means us too.''

Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes may have to make do without Arjen Robben, Mario Gomez, Daniel van Buyten and Toni Kroos, who all had a bout of flu this week.

A decision over their inclusion will be taken prior to kick off with Heynckes warning that the flu "can sometimes have after-effects'' even if the players feel they have shaken off the virus.


Match

Nobody cares about the Bundesliga. Except DayoKanu. lmfao.

Game starts in 2 hours

Neuer
Rafinha, van Buyten, Badstuber, Lahm
Tymoshchuk, Kroos
Robben, Müller, Ribery
Gomez

subs: Butt, Contento, Boateng, Gustavo, Pranjic, Alaba, Olic

Boka should take it easy on Ribery oo

Goal Christian Gentner

Mario Gomez Torrrrrr

Silences his critics

Gomez with a difficult header cleared off the line

Molinaro with a shove on Robben

Yellow card Molinaro

Gomez with a beautiful pass to Muller, Keeper saves

Boka trips Ribery, Free kick

Second yellow for Molinaro

Red card

Stuttgart are going hard on our guys

I think Juup should remove Muller soon for Olic , He is on a yellow and the ref might want to balance things

Robben booed in the stadium, Not unconnected with the Molinaro red card

Half time

1-1

2nd half resumes

lmao one man spectator

A fierce drive from Kroos saved

Toooorrrr

Marioooo Gomezzzz

Nice cut back from lahm

Robbery tries the Old Trafford trick again

Didnt come off

Mario Gomez on the top of the bayern 18 breaking up a counter, seconds later he is taking a shot at the Stuttgart goal

What a stud

Badstuber yellow.

next moment shields a ball into safety

Come on Robben hit the target at least

Yellow card to rafinha

Gustavo caught on the ball

Robben out for Boateng

Nobody cares about the Bundesliga. Except DayoKanu.  lmfao.

lmao one man spectator

Don't mind them.  Nice recaps.  

Now Kroos needs to move more into the attacking 3rd since Gustavo and Tymo are on

Foul on Badstuber

Bruno Labbadia is irate

roflmao DK wazzap?