FCB ‘very satisfied’ halfway into campaign

Thanks to a colourful laser show illuminating the Allianz Arena, the fans singing anthems of praise and the players parading behind a banner thanking the crowd for their loyal support in 2012, what Jerome Boateng described as a “frustrating” 1-1 draw with Borussia Mönchengladbach in the final league fixture of the first half of the campaign was all but forgotten. “It’s not the end of the world,” commented Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. And there was no reason why the festive mood should have been spoiled, as Germany’s biggest club can look back on an outstanding first half of the season.

Bayern have 42 points from 17 Bundesliga matches and lead the standings by nine points, thanks to a record of 13 wins, three draws and only one defeat. “And seven goals against is a superb achievement,” reflected Jupp Heynckes. In fact, it equals the league record for the first half of a campaign, and a goal difference of +37 sets the bar higher than ever before. “We’ve put ourselves in a great position to win the championship,” a satisfied Rummenigge summarised.