Bayern’s enviable record

Bayern Munich players celebrate after winning the Bundesliga title.-AP

The Bavarian giant claimed its 24th German crown with a 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin, winning its 19th consecutive League game.

Bayern Munich clinched the Bundesliga title with seven games to spare, a record in Germany. The Bavarian giant claimed its 24th German crown with a 3-1 win at Hertha Berlin, winning its 19th consecutive League game. A 3-3 draw at home to Hoffenheim in the next game, did little to spoil its party and took its League unbeaten ride to 53, a record run, which dates back to October 2012.

Spanish manager Pep Guardiola, replacing the treble winning Jupp Heynckes, has exceeded expectations, making this Bayern team even more ruthless and impregnable. Club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has rightly attributed that Guardiola has added a “new dimension” with his “positive fanaticism” to Bayern.

The Spaniard has brought in more fluidity to the club setup and has been bold with his team formations, often deploying his players in unusual positions, but still getting the best out of them. Team captain Philipp Lahm, one of the best right-backs in the world, has excelled as a holding midfielder, while creative medio Mario Goetze has time and again played upfront, leading the frontline. French international Franck Ribery too has often operated out of position, functioning from a more central position and not the left wing.

Having won 14 titles in his four years with Barcelona, Guardiola picked up a third title in his nine months with Bayern, with this League triumph. But the ever-modest former Spain international was reluctant to take all the credit and was quick to sing a praise of his players. “A coach is always only good because he’s at a big club with great players. I have won many titles, because I have had great players. They deserve the praise; they are unbelievable,” he said.

German national team coach, Joachim Loew, however, credited Guardiola with the team’s success. “To win the title so early is an incredible achievement. Pep Guardiola has developed the team and made his mark in terms of dominance and possession.”

Compiled by Ayon Sengupta