Germany coach Joachim Loew believes Bayern Munich's dream of reaching the Champions League final could play havoc with his plans for the national side ahead of their Euro 2012 campaign.
Bayern's Allianz Arena hosts the Champions League final on May 19 and the Bavarian giants take on Holland three days later to help the Dutch warm up for Euro 2012, to be co-hosted by Poland and the Ukraine from June 8 until July 1.
The bulk of Loew's first-choice team includes Bayern stars Philipp Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger, striker Mario Gomez, Toni Kroos, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, Thomas Mueller and defenders Holger Badstuber and Jerome Boateng.
And while he wants them to hit the championships with the feelgood factor, Loew is ultimately hoping to have his eight Bayern stars available when they start their Euro preparations in earnest.
"Basically, it would please me, of course, if Bayern get to the final," he said.
"For the players, it would mean they would come to us with a good feeling to have reached the final and, of course, it would positive for us if they win.
"But it would make things rather tight for us time wise and it would be ideal to take a full squad to the final preparations."
Loew plans to take his squad to Sardinia for a week-long training camp on May 11 and then head off again on May 19 to a camp in the south of France. Germany also play Switzerland in Basel on May 26.
Bayern's poor recent form may, however, help Loew as they lost the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie 1-0 at FC Basel. The return leg is on March 13 in Munich.
The worst possible scenario for Loew would see Real Madrid, who have Germans Sami Khedira and Mesut Ozil in their team, play Bayern in the Champions League final.
"This is not ideal, but we must accept that," team manager Oliver Bierhoff added.
Loew's hands are tied as Europe's clubs do not have to release their players for Euro 2012 duty until May 25.
Germany play a friendly with Israel in Leipzig on June 1, then travel to their Euro 2012 base in Gdansk on June 4.
Their first game in Group B is against Portugal in Lviv, Ukraine on June 9. They also face Holland and Denmark in their group.
Source: AFP
