No letting up in Bayern's chase for records
Munich - They might have already set a plethora of new standards this season, but there are still several more records just waiting to be broken by FC Bayern Munich.
"Satisfaction"
A total of 66 points, just ten goals conceded, a goal difference of +57 and eight straight victories after the winter break are statistics never seen before in German top-flight history.
For star winger , though, any suggestions they might take their foot off the gas in the league are ludicrous - in spite of a 20-point lead over second-placed Borussia Dortmund. "You can't relax, not even for a second," said the 39-time Germany international.
Two trophyless years have "played their part" in giving him and his teammates extra motivation for the current season, said Müller, admitting the fact that back-to-back champions Dortmund trail Bayern by such a huge gap this season gives him "a certain degree of satisfaction. "Everyone is willing to put in that little bit more," said the 23-year-old.
Persistence rewarded
Few players' fires have burned as brightly as Müller's this season. The star forward has scored 12 league goals and assisted a further nine, and so often it is his persistence that makes the difference. He was guilty of missing good chances in the weekend's 3-2 victory over Fortuna Düsseldorf, but stuck to his guns and was eventually rewarded with a goal.
Indeed, his attitude seemed to spur the team on, as Jerome Boateng scored with a late header to ensure victory against the plucky Flingeraner. "We left no doubt about wanting to beat Düsseldorf", said Müller, "and we did not want to settle for 2-2."
Winning mentality
Bayern's head coach Jupp Heynckes found room for criticism with his side's performance, stressing that "in the first half hour, we were too passive, didn't run enough, weren't sharp enough". Yet he likewise praised the "quality" of the team, praise that was well-placed as the Bavarians created a host of goalscoring chances.
The fact that Bayern's record breaking season has received great attention both domestically and on international was a further inspiration to the team, explained Müller, who went on to offer an example of his motivation, referring to the Düsseldorf win. "The two conceded goals were two too many." The mood in the camp is one of unwavering focus on success, which seems about right for club with an ever-increasing chance of recording an historic treble.
Gregor Nentwig reporting from Säbener Straße
