FC Bayern is heading into the extended international break in an unusual position. After four Bundesliga matchdays, it’s not the German record champions who are at the top of the table, but Borussia Dortmund. However, no one at Säbener Straße is getting nervous about it.
The Munich team has earned ten points from its first four matches. The only time Vincent Kompany’s team dropped points was in the 0-0 draw at Schalke. Since BVB has remained undefeated so far, Bayern must settle for the role of the pursuer for now.
Accordingly, there was no sign of a sour mood during the traditional Oktoberfest visit on Sunday. Shortly before numerous players left to join their national teams, the squad, coaching staff, and club officials gathered together once more at the Oktoberfest.
CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen took the opportunity to comment on the current league standings—and immediately issued a challenge to Dortmund.
Dreesen: “We’re completely relaxed about it.”
Dreesen is unfazed by the fact that BVB will be sitting atop the standings, at least for the coming weeks. In an interview with BILD, the Bayern boss even pointed out the excitement this has created in the Bundesliga.
“We’re completely relaxed about it—it’s wonderful. Everyone’s always writing that the league is boring, but I don’t see it that way. We’re hot on Dortmund’s heels and we’ll be chasing them,” explained the 59-year-old.
The Munich team is now quite familiar with the role of the pursuer. Due to the scoreless draw at Schalke, they lost the top spot in the standings for the first time in a long while. For Dreesen, however, the current standings after just four matchdays are clearly no cause for concern.
President Herbert Hainer also sees no reason to view the team’s performance so far critically. For him, the way the team is playing is much more important right now than the standings.
Hainer raves about Bayern’s style of play
“You have to look at the big picture. We’ve scored 14 goals in four games and conceded only two. The 0–0 draw at Schalke—things like that can happen from time to time. Even there, we were the dominant team. What matters is the way the team plays and how exciting the games are. I’d almost go so far as to say: It’s awesome to watch! That’s really great.”
The numbers certainly back up Hainer’s argument, at least as far as the start of the season is concerned. Fourteen goals in four Bundesliga matches are offset by just two goals conceded. Add to that the convincing 5-0 victory over Bodø/Glimt in their Champions League opener.
The fact that Dortmund currently sits ahead of Munich therefore holds little significance for the Bayern president. Hainer emphasized that the final reckoning won’t come until the end of the season.
Moreover, Bayern still holds the advantage in head-to-head matchups with BVB. We already got a taste of this before the Bundesliga season began: In the Super Cup, the record champions defeated Dortmund 2-1.
After the international break, the anticipated chase will now begin. In any case, Dreesen’s message to the current league leaders is clear: Bayern doesn’t want to let BVB pull too far ahead.