Satisfaction at Bayern, but euphoria banned

There's a game every three days – “and now the Oktoberfest on top," quipped Jupp Heynckes when a reporter asked what he told any of his stars temporarily dropped from the team. The 179th edition of the world's biggest beer festival opened on Saturday, but Bayern had other business away to Schalke, where the boss made three changes to the team that started against Valencia in midweek.

Despite the rotation, the performance at the Veltins Arena was not affected in the slightest. In fact, and especially in the second half, FCB were in blistering form as they saw off realistic title rivals Schalke 2-0. Once again, the depth in this season's squad was evident to all. Javi Martinez, Claudio Pizarro and Franck Ribéry, who was sidelined with a hamstring problem, gave way to Luiz Gustavo, Mario Mandzukic and Thomas Muller.