After a 6-1 annihilation of VfL Wolfsburg in the semi-final of the DFB Pokal at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich are still in contention for completing an historic treble
It took Mario Gomez just six minutes to notch a sensational hat-trick for Bayern Munich as the recently-crowned German Bundesliga champions destroyed Wolfsburg 6-1. Mario Mandzukic, Arjen Robben and Xherdan Saqiri also scored a goal each for the Bavarians.
The recent win over Wolfsburg is a clear signal of intent from the German giants that they mean business in the run-in to what has been one of the most successful campaigns for the club in recent times.
With the Bundesliga crown already in the cabinet, Jupp Heynckes would want nothing more than a European treble to cap off what has been an amazing managerial career. For Bayern Munich, a European treble would be the defining moment for a club that has seen its heart broken in recent seasons.
The last time Bayern Munich did a treble was back in 2001 when the legendary Ottmar Hitzfeld led Munich to Bundesliga, DFB-Ligapokal and Champions League success. Since then, Munich have never been able to repeat their exploits and there is a feeling in the air that the club wants to end its long wait for another treble.
As things stand, Bayern Munich are the only side in Europe’s top five leagues that are currently battling for the treble and chances of them doing it are not slim either. The DFB Pokal final will see them face either Stuttgart or Freiburg which means that a double is all but guaranteed. And with a Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona on the horizon, the new champions of Germany would be looking to use the allure of winning a treble as the motivation to beat the Spaniards.
The current Bayern Munich side is oozing with confidence and has answered every challenge put in front of it. The current crop is very balanced and the midfield is one of the strongest in the continent.
Mario Mandzukic, who is playing his first season at Bayern, has done a remarkable job for the Bavarians and is the currently the top goal-scorer at the club this season. The Croatian has been the main reason why Mario Gomez has had to settle for a place on the bench despite scoring goals whenever called upon.
One of the most unique features of the current Munich side is that the team is clearly performing as a unit and everyone has set aside their individual preferences for the good of the team. Despite the fact that he was the club’s top scorer last season, Mario Gomez has never voiced his unhappiness at the way he has been what many people feel, shunned by Heynckes. Instead, the German has shown his eagerness to do well for the team whenever called upon.
Same is the case with Claudio Pizarro who has not played that regularly but is willing to accept his role as a squad player.
Young Xherdan Shaqiri is another example of a Bayern Munich player who is willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. The Swiss international is considered one of the hottest young prospects in Europe and warrants more game-time than he is getting right now. However, he has also never voiced any concerns about the limited game-time.
Arjen Robben was criticised a lot at the start of the season but the Dutchman has simply squared his shoulders, dropped down his head and has worked his way to the same form that made him such a menace to opposition defences.
Hats off to Jupp Heynckes as well who has instilled a great team spirit in the camp which has played a big role in taking the club where it is now.
Fringe player or a regular starter, each and every single player in the current Bayern Munich side is aware of his role which could help the club in doing a European treble this time around.
Bayern will face tenth placed Hannover 96 on Saturday in a rather insignificant Bundesliga tie, given the fact that the Bavarians have already won the title.
However in a span of three days the recently crowned German Champions will welcome European giants Barcelona to the Allianz Arena, a tie which will verily define their prospects of an emphatic treble this season.
The recent win over Wolfsburg is a clear signal of intent from the German giants that they mean business in the run-in to what has been one of the most successful campaigns for the club in recent times.
With the Bundesliga crown already in the cabinet, Jupp Heynckes would want nothing more than a European treble to cap off what has been an amazing managerial career. For Bayern Munich, a European treble would be the defining moment for a club that has seen its heart broken in recent seasons.
The last time Bayern Munich did a treble was back in 2001 when the legendary Ottmar Hitzfeld led Munich to Bundesliga, DFB-Ligapokal and Champions League success. Since then, Munich have never been able to repeat their exploits and there is a feeling in the air that the club wants to end its long wait for another treble.
As things stand, Bayern Munich are the only side in Europe’s top five leagues that are currently battling for the treble and chances of them doing it are not slim either. The DFB Pokal final will see them face either Stuttgart or Freiburg which means that a double is all but guaranteed. And with a Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona on the horizon, the new champions of Germany would be looking to use the allure of winning a treble as the motivation to beat the Spaniards.
The current Bayern Munich side is oozing with confidence and has answered every challenge put in front of it. The current crop is very balanced and the midfield is one of the strongest in the continent.
Mario Mandzukic, who is playing his first season at Bayern, has done a remarkable job for the Bavarians and is the currently the top goal-scorer at the club this season. The Croatian has been the main reason why Mario Gomez has had to settle for a place on the bench despite scoring goals whenever called upon.
One of the most unique features of the current Munich side is that the team is clearly performing as a unit and everyone has set aside their individual preferences for the good of the team. Despite the fact that he was the club’s top scorer last season, Mario Gomez has never voiced his unhappiness at the way he has been what many people feel, shunned by Heynckes. Instead, the German has shown his eagerness to do well for the team whenever called upon.
Same is the case with Claudio Pizarro who has not played that regularly but is willing to accept his role as a squad player.
Young Xherdan Shaqiri is another example of a Bayern Munich player who is willing to sacrifice for the good of the team. The Swiss international is considered one of the hottest young prospects in Europe and warrants more game-time than he is getting right now. However, he has also never voiced any concerns about the limited game-time.
Arjen Robben was criticised a lot at the start of the season but the Dutchman has simply squared his shoulders, dropped down his head and has worked his way to the same form that made him such a menace to opposition defences.
Hats off to Jupp Heynckes as well who has instilled a great team spirit in the camp which has played a big role in taking the club where it is now.
Fringe player or a regular starter, each and every single player in the current Bayern Munich side is aware of his role which could help the club in doing a European treble this time around.
Bayern will face tenth placed Hannover 96 on Saturday in a rather insignificant Bundesliga tie, given the fact that the Bavarians have already won the title.
However in a span of three days the recently crowned German Champions will welcome European giants Barcelona to the Allianz Arena, a tie which will verily define their prospects of an emphatic treble this season.
