FC Bayern Munchen News

The defender believes that the Bavarians are continuing to improve under Pep Guardiola and admits that the side will be “hunted” this season

Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has fired a warning shot to rivals by suggesting that the European champions will be even better this season.

The full-back was a key part of the treble-winning side which conquered the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League in 2012-13 and with the first game of the new season looming on August 9, Lahm is pleased to see the Bavarians are still continuing to show signs of improvement.

“There has been some good work in pre-season,” he told Bundesliga.com. “We have been together for four weeks.

“Then [on Saturday] we won against Hamburg 4-0 in 60 minutes. That’s all right. But we also all know that we are getting even better. There is still plenty of work ahead of us.”

“We can improve everywhere, in all areas. One can always improve.”

Lahm then gave his assessment of new coach Pep Guardiola, while revealing his belief that the club will become a target for other sides following their history making success last term.

“[Guardiola] is very pleasant,” the defender, 29, added. “He is a very pleasant person and coach. He talks a lot with the players. That is always good.

“Basically, Bayern are always hunted. But last year we were not the Bundesliga champions, as Borussia Dortmund were the hunted.

“Now we are also a team that is hunted abroad too. We are the Champions League winners. Therefore, any opponent will relish beating us in all competitions.”

The Fifa boss believes that other countries should take note from German football and has praised Bayern Munich following their treble last term

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has labelled the Bundesliga a model for other leagues due to its financial structure and fan experience.

German football is beginning to reap the rewards of a chance in approach in the last decade, with Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund both reaching last season’s Champions League final.

And the Swiss official feels that Europe’s other leagues should learn from the Bundesliga’s example.

“The clubs are absolutely healthy in terms of finances and there are many big players in the teams, while they are also successful in Europe,” he told TZ.

“Generally, the Bundesliga is a role model for other leagues. The way the league is run and how the clubs are controlled – I just have to say hats off to them.”

Blatter reserved special praise for Bayern, who beat their rivals 2-1 at Wembley to seal their fifth European Cup en route to an historic treble.

“What Bayern achieved last year was simply amazing,” he added.

“It was not only successful football, but it was above all technically beautiful football.”

The Bayern boss says it is difficult to hear about his former assistant’s cancer relapse, expressing his sympathy for the ex-Barcelona coach

Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola admits he has found it hard to come to terms with hearing of his former colleague and friend Tito Vilanova’s cancer relapse.

The pair have endured a fractious relationship in the media since the revelation Guardiola had not visited Vilanova while both were in New York.

But Guardiola was keen to show his support for his former assistant coach at Camp Nou, who led Barcelona to the Liga title after succeeding Guardiola in the dugout last season.

“He’s a friend, and I love him so much,” the 42-year-old told reporters.

“It’s hard to talk to a friend like Tito in German. I wish the best for him and his family so as to tackle this stage with strength.

“This is very, very hard for me.”

Vilanova had been diagnosed with a relapse of parotid gland surgery midway through 2012-13, but appeared to enjoy a turnaround after he made it back to coach Barcelona in the final stages of their campaign.

However, the Catalan club admitted on Friday the trainer would be unable to reprise his duties for the coming season.

The Blaugrana are expected to announce a replacement next week.

The youngster headed home in the dying minutes after Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos had earlier put the European champions in control of the friendly encounter

Bayern Munich continued their preparations for the new season with a 3-0 win over Brescia at the Stadion von Arco on Tuesday.

The Bundesliga champions named a strong side that included Franck Ribery, Mario Mandzukic and Thomas Muller, with the German getting the scoring under way against their Serie B opponents.

It was Mandzukic who had the biggest part to play, though, seizing on a poor clearance from Brescia goalkeeper Alessio Cragno to play in Muller, who easily tapped home after 23 minutes. 

Bayern doubled their advantage nine minutes later, with Ribery the architect, getting to the byline and squaring for Muller, who in turn set up Toni Kroos to add the finishing touch. 

That is how it remained until the 90th minute when Jan Kirchhoff, a recent signing from Mainz, put the game beyond any doubt.

The 22-year-old headed home after a penalty area mix-up to give new boss Pep Guardiola his fourth win from four friendlies.

The Germany international has slammed the US-based company for sneaking in their logo at the youngster’s official unveiling

Bayern Munich skipper Phillip Lahm has lashed out at Nike for allegedly asking Mario Gotze to wear one of their t-shirts during his presentation.

The Bavarian giants, who are contracted to German-based brand Adidas, were stunned when their €37 million signing and defender Jan Kirchhoff appeared at their press conference wearing t-shirts emblazoned with Nike logos.

Subsequently, die Roten have decided to fine both players, but Lahm is adamant the sponsor is to blame and is convinced his new team-mates have been manipulated by their sponsor.

“I don’t want to allege Mario and Jan of having bad intentions,” the 29-year-old told Sport Bild.

“But I rather think that the players have been ordered by their sponsor to wear the t-shirts at their presentation.

“They just do what what they’ve been told without considering they and the event have been used for a third-party cause.

“This type of marketing contradicts with the contract of our long-term partners Adidas and does not comply with the term of Bayern Munich.”

Gotze was unveiled by Bayern on July 1 after joining from Dortmund, while Kirchoff arrived on a free transfer after spending the last five years with Mainz.