A record victory in the Supercup, into the second round of the DFB Cup and sitting top of the Bundesliga table after two matches: it is hardly surprising that Karl-Heinz Rummenigge drew a positive conclusion to Bayern's start to the season. "It was important to lay down a marker, to show we're highly motivated and strive for ideal conditions to clinch silverware in the end," commented the FC Bayern chairman on the team's opening four matches of 2018/19.
Praise for Niko Kovac
The hard preparations under new boss Niko Kovac have born first fruits with four victories, the 62-year-old remarked. "The team seem to be top fit," said Rummenigge, who praised not only the work but also Bayern's style under the new coach. "You can see we're very compact in terms of tactics, especially away to Stuttgart. That was perhaps our best match so far this season, and we're confident the season will be a good one."
Kovac is the right coach on a personal level too, according to Rummenigge. "I really like how he's interpreted his job so far. He radiates a lot of sympathy doing it," declared the former world-class forward. "He addresses the team quite clearly and honestly, and I think that proves we've signed the right coach in Niko."
'No walkover'
Rummenigge declared that Bayern's goal is a seventh Bundesliga title in succession. "It's not going to be a walkover but I think the conditions are good. We have a good team, and the cooperation with the coach works well." Beyond that, Bayern aim to "achieve great things in the Champions League too."
FC Bayern start their Champions League campaign in a week's time. In a group with Benfica, Ajax and AEK Athens, Bayern's goal must be to finish first, said Rummenigge. However, he issued a warning with regard to the Champions League, which "gets better every year in terms of quality. There are no more teams you can treat as a side issue."
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