Bayern
München
Few leagues have had such dominant champions as Germany's Bayern München, claiming four gold medals in the last four seasons along side four DFB Cup finals with one Gold. European trophy silverware is Champions League silver in 2005.
Bayern München can boast with immense quality in every position on the pitch with superstars like: O. Kahn, J. Sebastian Veron, Rivalso, M. Postiga, Raúl, Ronaldinho.
Defense is run by Jeremies, Sinkala, Sundermann and Landgraf who are players at their prime and contribute with vast experience.
One of the problems for the rest of the teams has been scoring against Bayern, much tribute to their offensive capability and aggressive play style, paired with a big man between the sticks, namely Oliver Kahn. The national team main keeper has
been pivotal for nation and club and a given first player to pick. Even if he does not show any signs of slowing down, the question if there will be anyone who can fill his shoes is relevant.
Next step
Bayern München are aware that few domestic teams can challenge them for the league gold, surely they eye the European silverware and for them aiming the Champions League must feel most natural. They are too good to exit CL early and continue in UEFA cup and perhaps good enough to reach semi-finals in Champions League, making the silver in 2005 is a fantastic achievement.
The rest of the league is slowly catching up though. In 2002/2003 the point difference between Champions Bayern and 2nd FC Nürnberg was 8 points, then 2003/2004 saw few key signings improving Bayern to end the season with 13 points ahead of 2nd Schalke 04. 2004/2005 ended with Bayern finishing 13 points before 2nd FC Nürnberg. Last season was the first time in performance a 2nd placing team was so close upsetting the champions, making 2006/2007 very exciting to follow.
Luis Costa, Bayern München boss:
"I started playing in 2004 (I think…), because after being tired of hearing several friends talking about the Game (at the time my work colleagues, currently only Friends, Paulo Francisco and Paulo Santos), I decided to start playing, at that time with my middle names (Miguel Baptista).
About the same time, other great friends and then my brother, also entered in the Game (Gonçalo Verissimo, David Esteves and Jorge Costa) and we started a new adventure..."
Full article on page 22.
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