Bayern can 'only get better'
Munich - FC Bayern Munich captain Philipp Lahm has issued a warning to the rest of the Bundesliga in the wake of his side's 3-0 win at SpVgg Greuther Fürth, claiming that the record German champions can still improve.
After struggling early on to break down a predictably defensive Fürth on their first appearance at the top table of German football, a Thomas Müller goal from a corner just before half time set Bayern on their way to victory.
"We can get better"
Mario Mandzukic and Arjen Robben added further goals while Claudio Pizarro and Bastian Schweinsteiger went close to making it a procession for the Bavarians, who made a flying start to their bid to win back the Bundesliga title from Borussia Dortmund. However, Saturday's performance and result was only the beginning, according to Lahm."Of course we can get better," he said. "We can be very happy. 3-0 away from home is a very, very good start. I am looking forward positively."
Robben claimed that the win was harder than it looked on a hot and sunny day in Franconia, however. "We really struggled in the first half," said the Dutchman. "Compliments to Fürth - they did really well and we did not have many chances. The most important thing for us is that we keep our stability, improve and start off with a winning streak." Step one in that streak has been taken and Bayern now have two home games against VfB Stuttgart and FSV Mainz 05 to cement their place atop the Bundesliga table.
No way back
For Fürth, it was a baptism of fire in the Bundesliga in front of a capacity crowd inside the Trolli Arena. Yet once the first goal went in and their gameplan was destroyed, it was always going to be an uphill struggle for Mike Büskens' troops. "When you fall behind to FC Bayern, then it's tough," said the former Schalke 04 coach, who did get the better of Bayern with a 1-0 win in his Royal Blues days. "If you give them room for just a moment, then they play Robben free with a direct pass, and it is 2-0."
There was a silver lining to Fürth's Bundesliga debut, however. On top of Robben's compliments, they now have arguably the toughest game of their season out of the way, meaning they can move on with renewed rigour. "We must not let this game unsettle us," said Thomas Kleine. "We have Mainz on Friday, and we want the points there."
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