Dortmund's Kehl expects fireworks at Wembley

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund rested their stars as the Champions League final dress rehearsal ended in a 1-1 draw, but Dortmund captain Sebastian Kehl said he expects an explosive affair in Wembley.

Bayern had already been crowned Bundesliga champion four weeks ago and the point guaranteed Dortmund second place, so Saturday's German league clash at Signal Iduna Park was little more than a warm-up for the May 25 final.

An early goal by Dortmund wing Kevin Grosskreutz was canceled out when Mario Gomez was left unmarked at the far post on 23 minutes to head Munich level.

But there was second-half drama as Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer saved Robert Lewandowski's penalty before Munich leftback Rafinha was shown a red card for elbowing Dortmund's Jakub Blaszczykowski in the face.

"It will be an altogether more explosive match in three weeks' time," said Kehl. "Today's game won't be comparable with how things will be at Wembley.

"Unfortunately, we didn't manage to win the game, despite a lot of chances."

Dortmund ended Bayern's 14-match winning streak in the Bundesliga as Munich dropped league points for the first time since December and coach Jupp Heynckes said the midweek Champions League win at Barcelona had taken its toll.

Bayern beat the Spaniards 3-0 for a 7-0 aggregate triumph.

"After the results of the last few weeks, it wasn't easy to get back to business," said the 67-year-old, whose side is bidding to become the first German team to win the European, league and cup treble.

"It was an intense game in which neither side gave anything away.

"A few people had said it would be a boring game because several Bayern players were missing, but that wasn't the case.

"I must praise the team, they fought hard, even with 10 men and they deserved the points."

Although Bayern beat Borussia 1-0 in the German Cup quarterfinals in February, the Bavarians have failed to beat their rivals in six Bundesliga attempts - their last league win was back in February 2010.

There is no love lost between the Bundesliga rivals and a heated argument between Bayern's director of sport Matthias Sammer and Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp broke out in the wake of Rafinha's dismissal.

Referee Peter Gagelmann had to lecture the pair to restore order.

"No one came here thinking it would be a friendly," said Klopp, whose side booked its Wembley berth with a 4-3 win on aggregate against Real Madrid in its Champions League semifinal.

"Sammer had said I should leave Rafinha alone, then I said something back, before Mr Gagelmann ordered us to shake hands.

"It was a very intense game - everyone was still in tournament mode. We started very well, but there were too many moments where we played far too little football.

"We got a point, the point that we needed to make sure we finish second, so we have reached a goal for the season."

(China Daily 05/06/2013 page24)