No let-up in Bayern's hunt for glory
Munich - FC Bayern München's quintuple-winning year in 2013 may have been the most successful 12-month period in their history, but the German record champions' are showing no signs of letting up in their quest for more silverware.
'Why can't we win every game?'
Speaking to the club's website, team captain Philipp Lahm insisted that despite triumphing in the Bundesliga, DFB Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup, his side's appetite for trophies is far from satisfied: "We're aiming to repeat what we did last time around: reach finals and win more trophies."
Sporting director Matthias Sammer was in similarly positive spirits, issuing a serious warning to Bayern's rivals at home and abroad three weeks before the four-time European champions kick off their 2014 activities away to Borussia Mönchengladbach: "People tend to say it's impossible to win every game, but to be honest, why can't we?"
With another treble, as well as the DFL Supercup in August, up for grabs, head coach Pep Guardiola will be aiming to lay the foundation for another year of unprecedented success when the club from the Bavarian capital travel to the Qatari capital Doha for their winter training camp on Sunday. "We'll have to work hard to maintain our momentum," said club president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
Coup of the season?
That momentum looks in no danger whatsoever of waning, and indeed it has received fresh impetus in the opening days of the New Year after it was revealed that Bayern had agreed to sign Robert Lewandowski from rivals Borussia Dortmund. The 25-year-old's contract at BVB expires in the summer, meaning he moves to Bavaria on a free transfer on 1 July.
Not only will the Reds have a stronger squad but "the entire club will be boosted" by the arrival of the 25-year-old Poland international, who has scored 11 times in the league this term. Such a transfer is exactly the type of deal that typifies the Reds' desire to maintain their position of dominance in German football and further afield.
Schweinsteiger returns
In the meantime, the will be hoping to quickly get back into gear following a two-week break, with friendlies against Sudanese champions Al-Merrikh SC in Doha (9 January) and away to Kuwait SC (13 January) before returning to Europe on 14 January and visiting Austrian side Red Bull Salzburg visit four days later.
On yet another positive note, Bayern München received a boost with the news that midfield strategist Bastian Schweinsteiger is likely to return to team training in Doha after months on the sidelines following an operation on his right ankle. Arjen Robben, meanwhile, is also expected to make the trip to the Middle East, despite the Dutch winger still suffering from knee problems. The 29-year-old is expected to train individually in Qatar - but should be fit again once the Bundesliga season kicks off.
