Last season, Bayern Munich headed into the big clash in the Rückrunde with top of the table Bayer Leverkusen knowing a win was a must or else the title was not staying in Munich that year. Bayern were duly eviscerated 3-0, with on-loan Josip Stanišić scoring the opener. This season, it is Bayern that have a seemingly insurmountable lead, sitting eight points clear of Die Werkself, who now need to win the game.
But Stanišić, now back at his parent club Bayern, is confident the Bavarians have what it takes to overcome Leverkusen. Asked the rather silly question of what speaks for Bayern in the title race, he had this to say: “First of all we’re 8 points clear. We’re not under pressure to win there. It’s rather up to Leverkusen,” Stanišić explained (via @iMiaSanMia). “I’m confident. Why should we think negatively? The 8-point gap did not come by chance.”
But to build on that, Bayern needs to play for the entire 90 minutes and whatever time is added on: “ [We cannot] lose focus for a second over 95, 96, 97 minutes. They fight and believe in the win until the very end. We saw that last season,” Stanišić said (via @iMiaSanMia). They have quick players upfront and combine with each other well, we have to stop that. We have to read the game well and be smart. After that, it’s about individual actions.”
Who knows? Perhaps, after all the hair wringing and bellyaching about how to get the title back, perhaps the only thing Bayern really had to was bring their Croatian good luck charm back where he belongs.
Looking for more thoughts and discussion on all of the action from weekend in the Bundesliga? Great, then check out the Bavarian Podcast Works — Bundesliga Rundown with Marcus Iredahl on Patreon, Spotify, or below:
Also, be sure to stay tuned to Bavarian Podcast Works for all of your up to date coverage on Bayern Munich and Germany. Check us out on Patreon and follow us on Twitter @BavarianFBWorks, @BavarianPodcast @TheBarrelBlog, @BFWCyler, @2012nonexistent, @TommyAdams71 and more.
