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Is the race won? After routing Leverkusen, Bayern looks set for title
Posted: Thursday February 10, 2000 07:27 PM
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- Is the battle for the Bundesliga title over? Having routed its nearest challenger 4-1, Bayern Munich is three ponts clear atop the Bundesliga. There is a long way to go, but everything speaks for Bayern retaining the title. In the first two matches after the winter break, Bayern had to face its two biggest rivals for the title and came away unscathed. First came a goalless draw at third-place Hamburg, then followed the 4-1 drubbing of Bayer Leverkusen in Munich on Wednesday. "Psychologically, it was hugely important," Bayern coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said after the victory over Leverkusen. "We are clearly on target for our goal, the title. This victory over a direct challenger is of great significance," Hitzfeld said. There are still 15 games left in the season, but all of them, theoretically at least, should be easier than the first two. Bayern now has 40 points, Leverkusen 37 and Hamburg 35. The Bavarians next face three teams from the bottom of the standings and the margin could quickly expand. "The schedule looks good, but the title is a long way from being decided," said goalkeeper Oliver Kahn. Some of his teammates were more upbeat. "We showed that we are the best team," said Brazilian forward Paulo Sergio. Bayern could be distracted by having to fight its way through the Champions League at the same time. Having incredibly lost last season's final to Manchester United in injury time, nothing could be sweeter than a triumph this year in the most prestigious European club competition, which Bayern hasn't won since 1975. There is also the matter of Lothar Matthaeus. The veteran is slated to leave for the New York-New Jersey MetroStars of the Major League Soccer after Bayern's March 8 clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League. Matthaeus may be 38 but he has been one of the best Bayern players this season and he was again among the most prominent in the rout of Leverkusen. His experience and poise will be hard to replace in the finish of the season. Leverkusen seems destined again to finish behind Bayern and is already being mocked as the "eternal second." Its coach Christoph Daum has never won in Munich's Olympic stadium, as coach of three Bundesliga teams stretching over 11 years. "The result hurts. But the championship hasn't been decided," Daum said. "The way we played, however, we'll have problems staying up front. We'll have to discuss it in the team." Leverkusen has spent a lot of money assembling a star-studded squad, based around the Brazilians Emerson and Ze Roberto. Before the season, Daum even hired a "motivation guru," whose methods reportedly included having the plyers run barefooted over shredded glass. Once again, Leverkusen fell short. But the players were not giving up. "The title doesn't go to the team that wins the big match, it goes to the team that beats the rest of the league," said forward Ulf Kirsten, who missed the game with an injury. "We will do everything to stay in the chase," said defender Jens Nowotny. Lurking in the shadows is the revived Hamburg, although its coach Frank Pagelsdorfand his players were careful to play down their chances. "To speak of the Champions League or even the title is nonsense. We are still not there," Pagelsdorf said after his team beat Stuttgart 3-1. Goalkeeper Hans-Joerg Butt said: "First we have to secure a place in an international competition. Then we can set new goals."
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