Javi Martinez sees positive early signs as Bayern Munich seek successful season
The international break provides the first intermission of a still precocious season, and an opportunity for Bayern Munich's Javi Martinez to reflect on the first few weeks of his seventh campaign in a red shirt.
Bayern have started the season with a trophy in the form of the DFL Supercup, a mandatory win in the first round of the DFB Cup and back-to-back Bundesliga triumphs over Hoffenheim and Stuttgart. As such, they have assumed their habitual position at the top of the standings and Martinez says they can have no complaints.
"I think we're all happy with how it's gone so far," he told fcbayern.com. "Obviously there's still a long way to go but we need to keep going. If we do that then it'll be a successful season."
Watch: Javi Martinez was the bedrock of the Bayern midfield in 2017/18
The 30-year-old defensive midfielder knows what success means, having won six Bundesliga titles, three DFB Cups and the UEFA Champions League since arriving in Bavaria in 2012.
When the season resumes after the international break, Bayern will commence their bid to bring the Champions League back to Bavaria for the first time since 2013, and Martinez cannot wait to get started with a trip to SL Benfica. "Of course, the Champions League is a great competition," he said. "You play against the best teams in Europe in the best stadiums and cities. We're really up for it."
When they return from Portugal, Munich will be getting into celebratory mood with the annual beer festival starting on 22 September, and that is something else the Spaniard is getting excited about. "It's a nice time of the year," he said. "The Oktoberfest means a lot to the city and Bayern. I feel like a local so it's nice for me too. It's a time for enjoyment - you can spend quality time with family and friends there. I'm sure we’ll find a space in our diary."
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Indeed, that diary is already looking quite full. After resuming with a home game against Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern fly out to Portugal and then travel to Gelsenkirchen to face Schalke. A Bavarian derby with Augsburg follows in the first midweek round of Bundesliga fixtures before Bayern head to the capital for a Friday night rumble with Hertha Berlin.
After Ajax visit the Allianz Arena the following Tuesday and Borussia Mönchengladbach come to town on Saturday 6 October, Martinez and Co. will be able to catch their breath again with the next international break – after a run of seven games in 21 days.
Rotation of the team will therefore be essential and coach Niko Kovac has already shown he has no fear of leaving players out – like Martinez on Matchday 2 – to ensure their fitness levels remain high. This, according to the Spaniard, is a sign of how well he and his brother and assistant Robert understand the demands of the game.
