adminBERLIN – European champions Bayern Munich set a new Bundesliga record of 37 games without defeat, then turned their attentions on their showdown with main German league rivals Borussia Dortmund. Bayern’s 3-0 win at Munich’s Allianz Arena against Bavarian neighbours Augsburg saw them break Hamburg’s 30-year-old record of 36 games without loss set in January 1983.
“The record is unbelievable, it’s not easy to go 37 games without defeat. Congratulations to the club,” said Bayern coach Pep Guardiola, who took charge in June.
But goal-scorer Franck Ribery said their next league game, at second-placed Dortmund next weekend, was crucial after Borussia’s 2-1 defeat at Wolfsburg left them trailing Bayern by four points.
It will be a repeat of last season’s Champions League final, which Bayern president Uli Hoeness has dubbed “the German El Clasico”. “The next game against Borussia Dortmund is vital for us,” said Ribery.
“It’s a great chance to build a lead at the top and extend our record.”
Guardiola also set a personal record as he celebrated his 12th league match without defeat – the best start by a new Bundesliga coach in the league’s history with 32 points. Germany centre-back Jerome Boateng opened the scoring when he headed home from a corner after just five minutes.
France winger Ribery then smashed home a direct free-kick on 42 minutes, before Germany’s Thomas Mueller netted a penalty in the fifth minute of injury time.
Bayern have now won 31 of their last 37 Bundesliga matches. This was their second milestone of the week after they equalled Barcelona’s record from the 2002/2003 season of nine consecutive Champions League wins with a 1-0 success at Viktoria Pilsen.
“Congratulations to the club and a special shout-out to Jupp Heynckes [former coach], architect of last season’s success,” said Boateng.-Sowetan.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter