Miles ahead: Dortmund thrashing a signal to title rivals: Muller

Bayern win 5-1 to go seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga.


Afp October 05, 2015
Muller and Lewandowski have both been incredibly prolific so far and scored a brace each in Dortmund’s demolition. PHOTO: AFP

BERLIN: Thomas Muller said Bayern Munich’s 5-1 thrashing of second-placed Borussia Dortmund sent a signal to their German rivals that they will not release their iron grip on the Bundesliga title.

It seems foolish to suggest the German league title race is over with October barely begun, but Bayern’s seven-point lead already has an ominous look having won the title by 10, 19 and 25 points respectively in the last three seasons.

Pep Guardiola’s side are on course to win an unprecedented fourth consecutive Bundesliga title and Dortmund were powerless to prevent their 15-game unbeaten run being ended in emphatic fashion at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Sunday.

With just under a quarter of the league season gone, Bayern are in a commanding position in Germany’s top flight having thrashed both last season’s runners-up Wolfsburg and current deputies Dortmund by the same heavy scoreline.

Bayern’s Robert Lewandowski scored a brace, taking his tally to 12 in his last four games, after Muller’s double included a first-half penalty before Mario Gotze grabbed Bayern’s fifth to compound his former club’s misery.

“It was a big win — seven points clear and the manner of the victory: that was a signal,” said Muller. “But we have to keep going and keep collecting points after the international break. No one is giving us anything, but the mentality of our players is incredible. The hunger is very much there.”

Head coach Pep Guardiola was delighted as his side picked up their eighth straight league win of the season and their record of 28 goals scored, four against means they have had the best ever start to a Bundesliga season.

“I have to congratulate the players, not just for today, but for the last few months,” said Guardiola. We’re happy because we won against one of the best sides in Europe. We struggled in the first 15 minutes, but our third goal made the difference.”

Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel insisted his side had played into Bayern’s hands by failing to defend against Bayern centre-back Jerome Boateng’s long balls.

“We made life far too easy for Bayern. The opening goal was the worst to concede,” he said. “A long ball from 40 metres — that shouldn’t happen, and it was the same for the third, because you have to close the gap quicker. We also gave away a cheap penalty. We have to work harder in training now and reset -- that’s sorely needed.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2015.

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