Matthaus: Bayern have won the Bundesliga

Posted Saturday, February 23, 2013 by Foxsports.com

Bayern Munich legend Lothar Matthaus believes Die Roten have already won the Bundesliga title despite there being 12 more games to go in the season.

Die Roten have been in superb form in the Bundesliga this season; Jupp Heynckes' men have amassed a massive 57 points from 22 games and currently hold a commanding 15 point lead at the top of the table over nearest challengers Borussia Dortmund.

And Matthaus, who won six Bundesliga titles, two DFB Cup and a UEFA Cup during his time with the club, believes the Bavarian giants already have the league title in the bag.

"Bayern will not stumble on the way to the Bundesliga title," Matthaus was quoted as saying by the official Bundesliga website.

"For one thing they have too big an advantage, and on top of that they are really stable this year, and hungry after two years without a title.

"So the title is done and dusted: FC Bayern will be the 2012/13 champions."

However, Matthaus admitted that his former side would not find it easy to achieve success in the DFB Cup and the Champions League.

"In the DFB Cup, they have more of a challenge on their hands with Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals, and then they still have another two other teams to beat to win it," Matthaus added.

"Dortmund haven't lost to Bayern for three years in either the league or cup.

"That's three away games and twice at home, so you could make a case for Dortmund even starting out as slight favourites. On the other hand, this is a different Bayern from the team of the past two and a half years.

"In the Champions League, particularly after losing in the final against Chelsea last year, it's something they desperately want to win, but there are tougher teams waiting in Europe than in the Bundesliga."

Matthaus also played down suggestions of Bayern buckling under the tremendous weight of expectations being heaped upon their shoulders.

"Bayern are always under pressure, but the team and coach know how to deal with it," Mattahus mused.

"They know what to do and they don't panic.

"Of course they want to show who's the best against the strong teams and Bayern have already proven that in the league - now they can do it in the DFB Cup and in the Champions League as well."

Bayern will take on Werder Bremen in their next Bundesliga fixture.