Lothar Matthäus on Bayern Munich's European dreams, 'surprise package' Mainz and Borussia Dortmund's inconsistencies
Lothar Matthäus has never been one to shirk a tackle – or an opinion. The legendary Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder talks to bundesliga.com about his former club's European aims, why Mainz are this season's breath of fresh air and discusses Borussia Dortmund's hot-and-cold campaign.
bundesliga.com: How would you evaluate Bayern’s season so far?
Matthäus: “The German Cup loss at home to Leverkusen in December clearly hurt them. They had the game completely under control, even with a player less. But aside from that, I believe they can be satisfied. They’re on the right path, with an eight-point lead over Leverkusen in the Bundesliga and they’re in with a chance to reach the Champions League final in Munich on 31 May, which would, of course, be a home game – an additional incentive to get there. I believe this season has shown us that the number one team in Germany is Bayern once again.”
bundesliga.com: Can Bayern really win the Champions League?
Matthaüs: “Yes, we saw what they can do in the last round against Leverkusen. They were a bit unsettled in some of their previous matches, even in the Champions League, but the way the team is now performing in terms of results but also attitude, discipline, and individual quality, indicates that they have the capability to go all the way.
bundesliga.com: How does the current team compare to the treble-winning 2012/13 team?
Matthäus: “This team has had a bit less time to gel. Back then, the team had already been together in a much more cohesive manner for years. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry were not in their first year like Michael Olise is now. There has been a lot more fluctuation in the past eight or nine months: a new coach has arrived and there was a lot of unrest and change at the club. But the current team are starting to show what they are capable of and if they play with this much confidence, joy and cohesion, I can see them reaching the Champions League final and even winning it. On the other hand, there are tough challenges ahead. Inter Milan await in the quarter-finals – my two former clubs against each other – and, in the semi-finals, possibly Barcelona or Borussia Dortmund. So anything can happen, but Bayern won’t fear any team in Europe.”
bundesliga.com: Is the Bundesliga title race over, in your opinion?
Matthäus: “I believe that’s long been decided. We’re talking about an eight-point lead with nine games remaining. I can’t imagine that Bayern will lose three or more remaining games this season. Meanwhile, Leverkusen would have to win all their remaining games. Therefore, in my view, the championship is decided. Leverkusen still have a clear objective: the German Cup. In the semis, they face a manageable challenge against Arminia Bielefeld. So Leverkusen have a great chance to win at least one title. I wish them well.”
bundesliga.com: Mainz sit third in the table at this late stage of the season. How surprised are you by that?
Matthäus: “In my opinion, they’ve been the surprise of the year. They are doing a fantastic job, playing with determination, directness, and they’ve got in opponents’ faces. They’ve earned their position through discipline, passion, and playing with compactness. Mainz even defeated Bayern this season, which helped maintain their momentum. They’re not under any pressure, and you can tell they really want it.”
bundesliga.com: When Bo Henriksen took over, in February 2024, Mainz were second from bottom. How impressive is the job he’s done there?
Matthäus: “He turned results around last year and then, this season, they’ve gained greater consistency and confidence. The coach leads by example. He demands passion, emotion, and likes to whip the fans into a frenzy before the game. It works for them. They don’t have the biggest budget to buy players, but they do things strategically. It’s not only the coach, but the entire club that is going about things in a competent manner. You see the results of that in the standings.”
bundesliga.com: Freiburg are fifth. How surprising is that after the resignation of legendary coach Christian Streich at the end of last season?
Matthäus: “Streich’s replacement, Julian Schuster, is a good coach. He’d already shown that with the club’s youth sides. He knows Freiburg inside-out, just like Streich did, and that’s why it’s been a smooth transition. They deserve to be near the top. They have a lot of experience but also many young talents and plenty of speed in the side.
bundesliga.com: They’ve also kept six clean sheets in a row…
Matthäus: “Yes, they place a high value on winning the ball back immediately after losing it. I’ve rarely seen a team in the Bundesliga so quick to recover possession. They defend compactly and are well organized. That shows that they have high discipline as well as individual quality. That often earns three points, even with a mediocre performance.”
Watch: Mainz's top-four push under the microscope
Want more Bundesliga Action?
bundesliga.com: What have you made of Borussia Dortmund, currently sitting down in 10th place?
Matthäus: “Dortmund’s greatest consistency is their inconsistency. What’s happening now is nothing new, but it’s yet another step down compared to previous years, especially when looking at the standings. Even after losing Marco Reus and Mats Hummels at the end of last season, they should still be at least competing for the Champions League spots with their squad. But something’s not right – the character of the players or the cohesion of the team. If you thought Niko Kovač could come in and change everything within a few weeks, you understand little about football. But this is the moment where Dortmund need to send clear signals to the players. They need to know that if the badge weighs too heavily on you, or if 80,000 fanatical supporters are too much pressure for you, then you can’t wear the jersey next season. I would have enjoyed playing every home game in front of that yellow wall – but some Dortmund players don’t understand what an honour that is.”
bundesliga.com: How do Dortmund get back to their best?
Matthäus: “Dortmund have done a lot right in the last two decades – they’ve been champions and reached the Champions League final twice, but the past ultimately doesn’t matter. Those successful times are behind them. Dortmund once had players who showed leadership, heart – those players are missing. They must be found again, and a whole team built around them. That culture can take years to implement and grow. Meanwhile, the club must also develop economically and increase its revenues. But I believe that Hans-Joachim Watzke is someone who recognizes that and will initiate it.
bundesliga.com: Even though Watzke is set to leave his official position in the summer?
Matthäus: “In my opinion, that’s not yet set in stone. I can imagine that given the current situation, Watzke might already be thinking about continuing. He has many roles, also at UEFA, FIFA and the DFL. Running Borussia Dortmund might be a bit too much for him – it needs someone’s sole focus. I don’t know what he thinks, but he obviously sees what’s happening at Dortmund at the moment, and he won’t like it. So he might stay on a bit longer. He needs to make a proper decision, because Borussia Dortmund are important internationally for German football.”
Related news
Leipzig's Henrichs in revealing documentary
The Germany full-back - who suffered a ruptured Achilles last December - goes from the shock of diagnosis to immense determination to fight back in a fascinating YouTube series.
Testimonial match for Werder legend Diego
The Brazilian will take to the pitch one last time with numerous former teammates.
Tuchel's fascinating coaching journey
As he begins life at the England helm, bundesliga.com charts Thomas Tuchel's coaching journey, which took off in Mainz.