Record champions Bayern on brink of lifting Bundesliga honours
30 March 2013 12:20 AM GMT
Runaway leaders Bayern Munich can become the first team ever to secure the Bundesliga title before the end of March if they beat Hamburg on Saturday evening and other results go their way.
Borussia Dortmund have won the last two titles, but they currently sit 20 points adrift of Bayern in second place with eight games remaining.
If Juergen Klopp’s side fail to win at Stuttgart on Saturday afternoon, record champions Bayern will be in a position to clinch their 23rd national title, and 22nd since the inception of the Bundesliga half a century ago.
However, it is inevitable that the Bavarians will eventually get their hands on the ‘Salad Bowl’ trophy, and those at the club are not too concerned whether they do so this weekend, especially with the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Juventus to come on Tuesday.
Bayern players and staff insist all the focus is on Hamburg, but the prospect of any major celebrations if they do wrap up the title has been ruled out, with officials confirming that there will be no trophy presentation at the Allianz Arena regardless of what happens.
‘In the dressing room, we’re talking exclusively about Hamburg,’ said midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. That’s our main focus. We need a good performance.’
‘Obviously it would be an incredible moment but one we’d only be able to savour very briefly,’ sporting director Matthias Sammer told Bild of the possibility of wrapping up the championship. ‘Preparation for the Juventus match will start immediately with a meal together at the stadium.’  Â
Borussia Dortmund have won the last two titles, but they currently sit 20 points adrift of Bayern in second place with eight games remaining.
If Juergen Klopp’s side fail to win at Stuttgart on Saturday afternoon, record champions Bayern will be in a position to clinch their 23rd national title, and 22nd since the inception of the Bundesliga half a century ago.
However, it is inevitable that the Bavarians will eventually get their hands on the ‘Salad Bowl’ trophy, and those at the club are not too concerned whether they do so this weekend, especially with the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Juventus to come on Tuesday.
Bayern players and staff insist all the focus is on Hamburg, but the prospect of any major celebrations if they do wrap up the title has been ruled out, with officials confirming that there will be no trophy presentation at the Allianz Arena regardless of what happens.
‘In the dressing room, we’re talking exclusively about Hamburg,’ said midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger. That’s our main focus. We need a good performance.’
‘Obviously it would be an incredible moment but one we’d only be able to savour very briefly,’ sporting director Matthias Sammer told Bild of the possibility of wrapping up the championship. ‘Preparation for the Juventus match will start immediately with a meal together at the stadium.’  Â
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