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December 7, 2013

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Bayern dismisses talk of dominance

Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness has backed Director of Sport Matthias Sammer’s angry denial that the European champion is dominating German football — even with the Bavarians on a double record-breaking run.

Last season, Bayern set or equalled 25 Bundesliga records as it became the first German team to win the treble of European, league and cup titles.

Its domination has continued under new coach Pep Guardiola and it is unbeaten this season in regular competition.

Bayern can extend its record undefeated run in the Bundesliga to 40 matches at Werder Bremen today, having last lost in the league back in October 2012.

Likewise, it is chasing its 11th consecutive Champions League victory at home to Manchester City next Tuesday, having already set a new record with its 3-1 win at CSKA Moscow a fortnight ago.

But despite all that success Sammer reacted angrily to reporters over the “stupid dominance debate” in the German media after Bayern’s 2-0 victory at Augsburg on Wednesday put it in the German Cup quarterfinals.

“It’s superficial and hypocritical, there is far too little recognition that we put a heck of a lot of work into keeping the team operating at a high level,” fumed Sammer.

Hoeness backed those comments, telling Munich newspaper TZ yesterday: “I can totally understand Matthias Sammer’s statements.”

“I would like to show some journalists their articles from two years ago, at that time it was like the era of Bayern Munich was over.

“Now everyone is talking like FC Bayern dominate the entire league and are unbeatable.

“We can also lose games —  and a day will come when we lose a game again. From my perspective, you can only talk about a domination when you have had continual success over two or three years.

“Things are going very well for us after 18 months.”




 

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