Their victory at Arsenal in the Champions League wowed Europe and woke the continent from their slumber, so decisive and emphatic was the victory. Bayern are most certainly back, and they are quite possibly the best team in Europe at present. Utterly ruthless at home, where they have conceded just eight times, and only once on the road all season, Bayern are almost certainly champions.
But in incredible style. Bayern have already broken the record for the best ever start to a Bundesliga season. They are threatening to win the title earlier than any team has ever done before, and their 17 point advantage means it will not be long until they are champions either way. Borussia Dortmund have been ruthlessly swatted aside.
Such ruthlessness surely comes from the pain of last season. Beaten by Dortmund in the Bundesliga having led half way through, also losing the German Cup final to their domestic rivals, Bayern were decisively second best domestically. But they still could have ruled Europe, only to somehow lose the Champions League final to a vastly inferior Chelsea at home
So Bayern, beaten so narrowly in three competitions last year, are determined this year .Jupp Heynckes, in his final season, leaves nothing to chance, and his team have been utterly clinical, demolishing all opposition that dare put up any resistance to their irresistible march towards glory. At present it is hard to see a team who can beat them in Europe, even one of the two Spanish giants.
Mario Mandzukic has eased in effortlessly up front after signing from Wolfsburg last season. The Croatian has forced Mario Gomez out of the team, whilst Javi Martinez has added fluidity in central midfield, and control. Dante has been terrific at the back, adding solidity to an already mean defence. Manuel Neuer is arguably the world’s best goalkeeper. Toni Kroos has been a revelation, a technically and tactically gifted star. Arjen Robben has even been marginalised. They may still be behind Real Madrid and Barcelona in revenue generation, but unlike the Spanish sides, Bayern have no debt. They do have a shiny new stadium, and Pep Guardiola becoming their manager this summer. How is he supposed to improve them further?
With Dortmund beaten in the German Cup this week, the path is clear for a domestic double as well. In fact, this season looks quite like 1999, when Manchester United were also gunning for a treble. Are these two teams destined, 14 years later, to meet in the final again with both chasing that magical treble? Quite possibly. And if they do, you could bet on the Germans getting revenge for that agonising defeat in London.
