Javi Martinez thinks Bayern Munich can win Champions League under Niko Kovac
Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez won the treble of Bundesliga, DFB Cup and UEFA Champions League under Jupp Heynckes in 2013, and he sees no reason the Bavarian giants can’t recreate that success under Niko Kovac next term.
Kovac steered Eintracht Frankfurt to the DFB Cup at Bayern’s expense in May before succeeding Heynckes – who retired following his second spell in the Allianz Arena dugout – in July.
Martinez, who has also played under Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Willy Sagnol since signing from Athletic Bilbao in 2012, likes what he sees in the new coach.
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Martinez is one of eight current players who featured in Bayern’s famous continental treble campaign five years ago - Jerome Boateng, Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, David Alaba and Rafinha are the others – and he thinks all the ingredients are in place for another three-pronged assault on silverware in 2018/19.
Watch: Bayern's treble-winning 2012/13 season
“When you play for Bayern Munich you have to [attempt] to get all the titles possible,” he said. “Of course we want to fight for the Champions League, it’s our dream. I was lucky to be here for the last Champions League and we want to get it again. It was an amazing feeling. The whole city was behind us. We will fight very hard to get it. Of course, the Bundesliga is also a big goal for us and the DFB Cup [too].”
Bayern conclude their ICC campaign against Guardiola’s Manchester City on Saturday before a first chance to add to their glittering trophy cabinet on 12 August, when they face Frankfurt once again, this time in the DFL Supercup.