League leaders Bayern Munich are looking for a winning start to the year at Hamburg SV on Friday as the Bundesliga resumes after the winter break and coach Pep Guardiola starts his farewell tour that he hopes will end with more silverware.
The Bavarians, eight points clear at the top of the table, are eyeing a record fourth consecutive German league title – a third under Spaniard Guardiola, who will leave at the end of the season after three years to join a Premier League club.
“We all want to go towards the same direction together and then hopefully celebrate titles together,” Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski told reporters this week.
Bayern are the overwhelming favourites for the league title once more this season but it is still unclear what effect Guardiola’s decision, announced just before the winter break, may have on their performances.
“Eight points are not a lot because if we lose then it is just five points (to second-placed Borussia Dortmund) and you can only make a few more such mistakes,” Lewandowski said.
“That is why we have to be in top form from the very first game until the end of the season. We have to remain alert.”
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