Bayern Munich boss says club can still win Bundesliga
Bayern Munich boss Louis van Gaal has revealed his belief that the club can come back from a dismal start to the season and successfully defend their Bundesliga title.
The reigning champions are already 13 points off the pace set by Mainz, having claimed just eight points from seven matches so far to leave them sitting in 12th position in the table.
However, Van Gaal is convinced that he can help the side stop the rot and claim their second championship in a row, citing last season’s early form as a possible yardstick for success.
He told the club’s official website that: “Winning the Bundesliga title is still realistic. We only have three points fewer than at this stage last season. I cannot promise that we will win a title, but I can promise that we will do everything we can for
it.”
Struggling for form
After getting the season off to a strong start with a 2-1 win over 2008-09 champions Wolfsburg, Bayern have struggled to emulate the form which saw them reach the UEFA Champions League final last term.
Bayern suffered defeat at the hands of Kaiserslauten, league leaders Mainz — who are currently 13 points ahead of Bayern — and Borussia Dortmund. Bayern also failed to win against FC Koln and Werder Bremen, picking up just a point from both of those encounters
after 0-0 stalemates. However, they picked up three points against Hoffenheim and, having emerged victorious from encounters against Roma and Basel in the Champions League, they have proven that they are still capable of winning big games.
Their lack of form can be attributed in part to the fact that they are currently missing influential attackers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery, with the wingers set to return in January and November respectively.
Bayern’s next chance to pick up some points and progress up the table will come when they take on Hannover at home after the international break on 16 October.
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