Fortuna Dusseldorf 0-5 Bayern Munich: Eight wins out of eight in the Bundesliga for relentless leaders

Bayern Munich set a new record by beginning their Bundesliga campaign with eight consecutive wins as they breezed past Fortuna Dusseldorf in a 5-0 win at the Esprit Arena.

Some poor defending was at the heart of the hosts’ defeat as Mario Mandzukic was left in acres of space to set die Roten on their way to the win with a simple first-half strike. Luiz Gustavo bundled in a second and Thomas Muller added another two after the break. The Bavarians perfect start to the season was then ensured as Rafinha slotted home the final goal.

From the off it was clear that F95 were missing Stelios Malezas in defence as poor positioning and a lack of communication enabled Bayern to immediately set about working the keeper.

After Fabian Giefer had palmed away Toni Kroos’ near-post shot, he was almost beaten by one of his own men with 10 minutes gone. Juanan and Robbie Kruse both went to clear the same cross into the box and, but for some quick reactions from the keeper, the Australian could well have diverted the ball into his own net.

Jupp Heynckes’ side continued to enjoy the run of the play but with so many of the hosts’ players camped behind the ball they found it difficult to create opportunities.

Eventually, in the 28th minute they did create something, and it was tucked away by Mandzukic. Seeing space between Juanan and Johannes van den Bergh, the Croatian sauntered into the area and slid Franck Ribery’s cross into the net without a challenge.

Although Bayern have been guilty of easing off after going ahead in recent weeks, this time around the onslaught continued and just eight minutes later they doubled their lead.

Muller climbed above Andreas Lambertz at the back post to divert Philipp Lahm’s free kick from the left back on goal. Giefer managed to make the save but as Luiz Gustavo followed up, the ball bounced off of him, and then the keeper’s head, before the Brazilian rolled it in.

Norbert Meier initiated a brief improvement from his side after the break by sending on Andriy Voronin and Axel Bellinghausen, but Bayern’s clinical nature put a swift end to it.

With just seven second-half minutes played, an excellent move down the right flank ended with Ribery rolling the ball back to Muller. His sweetly-struck effort from 15 yards rocketed into the top corner, giving Giefer no chance.

It was a goal that deflated Dusseldorf massively and they had to rely on some last-ditch defending to get themselves out of several difficult situations in the second-half.

Once again they succumbed as a pair of late goals confined F95 to a humiliating defeat. Muller scored his second of the night as he steered home David Alaba’s cross four minutes from time and almost immediately Rafinha bagged the fifth with a cool finish.

Nevertheless, Jupp Heynckes’ men coasted to the win and therefore retain their five-point advantage over Eintracht Frankfurt at the summit with just eight games played.

Dante: I will fight for my Bayern place

Bayern Munich defender Dante has vowed to work hard to keep his place in the side, despite the impending return of left-back David Alaba.

The Austrian sustained a pre-season foot injury, forcing Holger Badstuber to slot in as a make-shift full-back, with the Brazilian in the heart of defence.

However, the youngster is nearing a comeback, and the former Borussia Monchengladbach man has accepted that he may find game time harder to come across.
 
“[Alaba] is a great player,” he told TZ. “It’s amazing how far he has got for his age, and he will help the team a lot.

“I’m sure that the coach will also rotate the defence. Who plays is the decision of the coach. Whatever happens, I will continue to work hard.”

Dante went on to praise Bayern duo Franck Ribery and Javi Martinez’s football ability, and revealed that he has a great rapport with the €40 million Spaniard.

“[Ribery] has incredible skills, is quick, nimble and agile. What impresses me even more about him is how hard he works on himself.

“For every game he is fully concentrated, and he wants only thing: win, win, and win. Franck is an unbelievable character.”

“[Martinez] is a great guy and a great player. We understand each other well, and talk and especially laugh a lot.”

Bayern will look to maintain their perfect Bundesliga record this season when they travel to Dusseldorf on Saturday.

Heynckes: I don't care about records

Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes has insisted that Saturday’s Bundesliga encounter against Fortuna Dusseldorf is not about setting a new record as the Bavarians are only focused on bagging three points.

The Allianz Arena side have won their opening seven league games, and can become the first team in the history of the Bundesliga to remain flawless in their first eight games if they beat Dusseldorf at the weekend.

“Records mean nothing to me. They’re for the archive, for the stats,” Heynckes stated at a press conference.

“The players are in the mood and very motivated. I think my team will carry on where they left off against Hoffenheim.

“I think we face a major challenge.”

Meanwhile, Jerome Boateng was quick to agree with his coach that Saturday’s encounter is all about the team’s success.

“It’s not about setting some kind of record. What matters is success as a team and a good performance. We have very important weeks ahead of us.

“We want to stay at the top and maintain the gap.”

Saturday’s encounter kicks off at 15:30CET.

Hoeness: Heynckes could continue for another year

Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has revealed that current first-team boss Jupp Heynckes could carry on after the end of the season.

The 67-year-old’s contract at Allianz Arena is set to expire at the conclusion of the current campaign, and there is a growing suspicion that the former Borussia Monchengladbach man will step aside when his deal ends.

However, Hoeness has poured cold water on the notion that sporting director Matthias Sammer should begin looking for Heycnkes’ replacement, insisting that a collective decision on whether or not the trainer will continue will be made for the good of the club.

“Matthias Sammer doesn’t have to look for a new manager at the moment, as we really don’t know whether we need one” he told Sky Sports News.

“Nobody here determines the future of FC Bayern alone, instead we come to what are hopefully the ultimately correct decisions together.

“Any decision could mean Jupp Heynckes continuing for another year.”

Heynckes’ tenure with the Bavarian giants has been plagued by suggestions of discord between him and Sammer, but Hoeness dismissed these notions as nothing more than a media campaign intent on creating conflict at the club.

“The media has been trying to drive a wedge between the two from day one,” he said. “On occasions they have managed to, but they won’t succeed in the long run.”

I have talked about Bayern with Kevin-Prince, admits Jerome Boateng

Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has admitted that he has been in touch with AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng to talk about the Bundesliga giants’ alleged plans to re-unite the half brothers.

Recent reports from Germany suggested that Bayern are closely monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation at the Rossoneri, and although the midfielder revealed earlier this week that he is unaware of any potential interest, both siblings have already discussed the matter.

“We have already talked about it a few times,” Jerome was quoted as saying by AZ.

“I do not know how concrete it all is, though. It seems as if it’s just some distant rumours for now.”

The midfielder then went on to stress that Bayern cannot afford to lose focus again like they did last term, when they collapsed after a good start to the season and were pipped to the title by Borussia Dortmund.

“We can’t let that happen again. It’s crucial that we also win the games, where we are not at our best. We know that it will be very difficult to beat us as long as we stick together like a team.”

Bayern currently hold a five-point lead over second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga table.