Created on 03-02-2013 at 00:00 AM
There was a sense of déjà vu about Saturday’s 3-0 victory away to Mainz: Müller and Mandzukic scored the goals, Neuer kept a clean sheet, and the points went to Munich. “We're thoroughly satisfied," said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as FCB maintained their perfect record since the winter break. “Three games, nine points, seven goals and none let in. That's what you call a perfect restart record," the chairman enthused.
After the match in front of a 34,000 full house at the Coface Arena, Jupp Heynckes described the ultimately serene victory as “a very important win on the road to the title." Any hopes Bayern's rivals may have had that Mainz, as so often in recent seasons, might upset the men from Munich were swiftly dashed. “It's important we've made a good start after the winter break, because we've sent a message to our rivals that there's no messing around with us,” said the coach, “we're following our course, and we won't let up in any way."