It might be only six rounds in, but Bayern Munich’s wobbles – along with some impressive performances from their rivals – have threatened to breathe life into the 2018-19 Bundesliga title race.
Second-placed Bayern take on fourth-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach on Saturday and may start the match four points off the pace if leaders Borussia Dortmund win their afternoon fixture against mid-table Augsburg.
Given the congestion at the top of the table, if Munich fall to Gladbach, they could end the round in sixth, increasing the pressure on new coach Niko Kovac to turn it around ahead of the international break.
However, for those hoping for some respite from Bayern’s recent dominance, it’s worth remembering some recent history.
“At the moment everything is against us. But it will turn. If we don’t start to throw everything overboard that is good. That wouldn’t make sense at all. I would understand that if we stood here with zero points. But we already have played good matches and that’s why everything will not change suddenly. We have to fine tune some things. We do that every day in training, if time, and the phases of recovery allow that. Because if you play three time a week you can’t train intensively. I have also heard that we train too limply. Oh, man, now it’s getting funny.” Bayern Munich head coach, Niko Kovac.
At the same time last season, Munich were sitting three points behind Dortmund in third position.
The club took decisive action, sacking coach Carlo Ancelotti and bringing in former manager Jupp Heynckes for the latter’s fourth stint with the club.
They went on to claim victory in 23 of the remaining 28 rounds, winning the Bundesliga for a record 27th time. SNTV
