Despite trailing Bayer Leverkusen by 10 points with 10 Bundesliga games remaining this season, Bayern Munich is not ready to surrender, buoyed by their recent success in the Champions League. The team, led by coach Thomas Tuchel, who will depart at the end of the season, secured a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals with a convincing 3-0 victory over Lazio on Tuesday, marking their best performance in months.
The midweek triumph has injected confidence into the Bavarian side as they prepare for a crucial league match against second-bottom Mainz 05 on Saturday. Tuchel emphasized the need to maintain momentum, acknowledging the challenges Mainz will present. Despite facing difficulties throughout the season, Tuchel is determined to press on.
Bayern Munich, winners of the last 11 league titles, has won just one of their last four Bundesliga matches, currently occupying the second spot with 54 points, trailing Leverkusen. The league leaders, eyeing their first league crown, face VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday after their Europa League Round of 16 clash against Qarabag FK in Azerbaijan on Thursday.
Bayern CEO Herbert Hainer expressed satisfaction with the victory over Lazio, highlighting the potential media storm they avoided. He stressed the importance of refocusing on the Bundesliga, recognizing the unpredictable nature of the competition.
While Leverkusen’s Xabi Alonso-led team remains unbeaten in all competitions this season, midfielder Granit Xhaka cautioned against complacency. Drawing from his experience with Arsenal last season, where they squandered an eight-point lead, Xhaka emphasized that the Bundesliga title race is not over. He urged his teammates to stay grounded, take it one game at a time, and avoid underestimating the challenges ahead. Leverkusen currently holds a 10-point lead in the Bundesliga, and no team has lost the title at this stage with such a margin.
