After steamrolling their way past Porto in a 6-1 blitz at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich can certainly take yet another step closer towards achieving their coveted Treble as they take on struggling side Hertha Berlin today.
Comfortably twelve points ahead of Wolfsburg at the league's summit, die Roten have simply been a class above the rest as they have ruthlessly dealt with the vast majority of domestic opposition that has come their way. Even slight stumbles against die Wölfe and Borussia Mönchengladbach have not derailed Pep Guardiola's men as they seek to retain their league crown, and they can ensure they achieve their first objective by earning all three points at home.
A win would surely seal another Bundesliga title for Bayern Munich due to their massive gap over Wolfsburg
Bayern again showed the power of the "German Machine" as they humiliated Porto earlier this week
Again, Bayern will have to make do without a slew of key players. Franck Ribery, David Alaba, Javi Martinez, and Medhi Benatia are all still working their way back to full fitness. Unfortunately, Holger Badstuber, who has spent more time injured than fit in recent seasons, has yet another setback that could see him miss him four months of action.
However, according to reports, Arjen Robben, who has been out since mid-March, could be working his way back into the fold and appears to be recovering nicely following his abdominal injury, and as per Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge could even make the squad soon. And there is good news about centre-back Benatia as well:
.@MedhiBenatia und #Robben vor Rückkehr! #Rummenigge: „Bei Arjen läuft es sehr gut.“ Und auch „Benatia wird schnell zurückkommen“. #packmas
— FC Bayern München (@FCBayern) April 23, 2015
"Mehdi Benatia and Robben [are working towards their] return! [According to Rummenigge], Arjen is training well and Benatia will be back [in action] soon"
And this will surely please Bayern fans even more:
An 'overjoyed' @Javi8martinez returned to team training today. Good to have you back, Javi! pic.twitter.com/CwZvhosuiT
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) April 23, 2015
As for Pal Dardai's side, they have seen an uptick in their fortunes that have moved them clear of relegation, having made it through their last five games without a loss. However, the visiting coach was under no illusions when it comes to taking on the reigning Bundesliga champions in Munich.
"No one will be surprised that we do not go to Munich as favourites," he noted.
"The team have been training very well this week, [so] we hope [we] will show that [against Bayern]. [Still], the result is not so important. We are unbeaten in our last seven matches, so a draw would be a success. But we are not going to Munich to congratulate them [on winning the title]."
The last time die Alte Dame (the "old lady") beat die Bayern in Munich was back on October 29, 1977, which concluded as a 2-0 success at the Munich Olympiastadion. Since then they have made 19 trips and have no luck, as the hosts have defeated them 15 times, whilst only four have ended as stalemates.
Simply put, in the form Bayern are in right now - their injuries nonwithstanding - one would not be surprised to see them get the job done today to secure the league title. With a DFB Pokal clash with Dortmund coming up next week, Guardiola's men would like to take on die Schwarzgelben knowing that they have already made some nice inroads towards claiming their second Treble in just three seasons.
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