Bayern happy with 'big point' in the title race

Young Tristan from Aalen already suspected it before the game. "Five" was the 10-year-old's natural answer to stadium announcer Stephan Lehmann's question as to how many goals FC Bayern would score against Borussia Dortmund. Just under two hours later, '5-0' shone out from the Allianz Arena scoreboard, the result by which the German record champions won the Bundesliga's standout fixture and regained the lead from the previous frontrunners.

"I think we played a great game today, a great game, over 90 minutes," coach Niko Kovac said after the final whistle, making no secret of his delight at his team's performance. His men were "sensationally good in all respects," especially in the first half, Kovac stated. "We immediately put pressure on our opponents, took the game by the scruff of the neck, and fought and won tackles. The football we played was very impressive."

Goalscorers Mats Hummels (10th minute) and Robert Lewandowski (17th) with his 200th Bundesliga goal as well as Javi Martínez (41st) and Serge Gnabry (43rd) ensured a party atmosphere in the first half at the sold out Allianz Arena. "The first half was certainly incredible, I've seldom experienced an Allianz Arena like that," Thomas Müller admitted afterwards. In the 89th minute, just before the final whistle, Lewandowski scored his second to complete the perfect final result. "That was a great game from A to Z," said Müller.

The record champions only had to endure one moment of anxiety in the initial phase when Mahmoud Dahoud hit the outside of the post after a counter-attack in the 6th minute. Afterwards, the hosts dominated the game and didn't let Dortmund create anything. "We were really hands-on, with a presence, we not only played football, but didn't hold back in our tackling. We wanted to send a signal to the footballing world that the road to the championship only goes through us" Müller continued.

Team captain Manuel Neuer, who was fit in time for the German Clásico after overcoming calf problems, was also happy about his team's "very good" and "very dominant" performance. "It's the first 'big point' game we've won this season. We had to wait a long time for that," the goalkeeper said and spoke of a "great day for Bayern." However, "we mustn't let ourselves get carried away after the 5-0 win," the 33-year-old cautioned. "We must continue to give one hundred percent in every game. It's a matter of making sure we win the games week after week."

Thomas Müller agreed with him: "We've regained our advantage and can become champions by our own efforts," said the born-and-bred Bavarian, "but we have to win all six remaining games first. That's obvious." Bayern are already expecting another "very hard fight" next Sunday at Fortuna Düsseldorf: "We already know we won't get the three points on a silver platter," Müller continued. Perhaps the Bayern players should quiz young Tristan from Aalen before the game...