Hosni Abd Rabo And Ahmed Abo Moslem didn't play while their team RC Strasbourg put on a great performance by beating German champions and cupwinners Bayern Munich 2-0.



In front of 10,000 spectators in Strasbourg's Stade de la Meinau, the effects of the Bayern squad's exertions during their tough conditioning regime over the past few days were evident.


Coach Felix Magath had to do without Daniel van Buyten, who was absent with suspected concussion and again had a number of reserves in the side.





Goalless at half-time


RC Strasbourg had the best chance of the first half, when forward Dimitar Rangelov took advantage of a mistake in the 17th minute by Bayern central defender Christian Saba, but his shot from 15 metres was superbly turned away by Michael Rensing. Earlier the Reds had failed to use an opportunity following a 13th minute corner, with Roque Santa Cruz failing to get his header on target.


It was a similar story in the second period, with Racing controlling the game and Bayern defending in depth. However, a quarter of an hour from the end came the inevitable breakthrough as substitute Gasmi won a duel with Christian Lell and broke free to beat Rensing. In the 82nd minute Perbet headed Strasbourg's second to wrap up the match.


Only twice in the second half did Bayern seriously threaten the

RC Strasbourg goal. In the 60th minute Andreas Ottl got in a header but was thwarted by the sharp reactions of the home goalkeeper, and 10 minutes from the end Ali Karimi had the chance to equalise at 1-1 but lobbed over the bar.


"It's a shame we couldn't have held on for a 0-0 draw," was the verdict after the final whistle of keeper Rensing, who was Bayern's best player on the day and stood between Strasbourg and a bigger victory.



RC Strasbourg - FC Bayern 2-0


Stadium: Stade de la Meinau

Attendance: 7,931
Referee: M. Schneider.

Goals: Gasmi (75´), Perbet (82´)


RC STRASBOURG: Puydebois - Lacour (Celestini, 46´), Ekobo, Bellaid (Locatelli, 46´), Deroff (De Gea, 63´) - Abdessadki (cap.), Loué (Gasmi, 63´), Kantari, Johansen (Boka, 46´) - Tum (Perbet, 63´), Rangelov (Mouloungui, 63´). Coach: J-P. Papin


BAYERN MUNICH: Rensing - Salihamidzic, Lell, Saba, Krause - Karimi, Ottl, Dos Santos - Scholl (Dreher, 46´) - Makaay (Fürstner, 46´), Santa Cruz. Coach: F. Magath.


Related Article: Jean-Pierre Papin to train Hosni Abd Rabu and Abou Moslem next season