League championship only an intermediate step for Bayern

By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, April 8 (Xinhua) -- It's one of the disadvantages of a club like Bayern Munich as winning a title is not necessarily a reason for having a big party.

The 2018 German league title, which Bavarians clinched this Saturday after beating FC Augsburg 4-1 after only the 29th round of matches, is seen as being only an intermediate step on the way to other ambitious goals like the German Cup and more importantly the Champions League crown.

There were few celebrations as the protagonists' heads were all full of thoughts about their upcoming opponents of Wednesday -- FC Sevilla.

"No party today," Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes demanded. "We have important jobs to do. We have to be fully concentrated ahead of the challenging tasks up ahead," the 72-year-old commented.

Emotions were kept under control. No beer showers or champagne rain mentioned as was normally the case after a championship win. Just a quick dance in front of the fans was all that was allowed followed by a few minutes of music in the locker room.

"Party, what party?" Thomas Mueller said.

"This team has done a great job, but the journey isn't over yet," Heynckes said. The oldest ever title-winning coach and his side have posted a new record after winning the Bundesliga for the sixth time in succession. Celebrations, what celebrations? Postponed to a later date.

Heynckes mentioned the German Cup and the Champions League as being the next steps. He praised the work of his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti speaking about the Italian's share when it comes to the 28th Bundesliga title for Bayern. A nice gesture.

It is a part of Heynckes' qualities to always remember the particular situations of some of the people around him in important moments. Therefore, he took Franck Ribery (35) and Arjen Robben (34) aside and told them to go over to Bayern's fans.

"It was my reward for them. They have played for Bayern for the last nine and ten years. Loyalty like that is something rare nowadays," the 1974 World Cup winner emphasized.

The club's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said little speaks against giving the duo a new contract. "We've achieved great success with them both and we know to value it. But the bottom line is, how good are their performances and their performances are first class," the former German international commented.

Bayern's golden-agers are part of Heynckes' unique era, one that still has unfinished business. The former striker is not the man to rejuvenate an experienced squad but the one that discovered the aged side still has enough quality to challenge the big guns like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona on the international stage.

Everybody assumed the Heynckes' story had come to end after treble-winning season in 2013. The new and very special chapter since his return has given the Bavarians additional motivation. So much so that the players that seemed to be on their last legs have been revitalized.

Bayern in 2018 might not be at the same level as in 2013 when it comes to their tactical and physical level, but international opponents better are not underestimating them.

To win the Bundesliga title this season wasn't what you exactly call a major challenge as there is little real competition from their national rivals. The club's goals lie on the international stage. But keeping the whole squad motivated is Heynckes' most significant achievement.

Bayern sports director Hasan Salihamidzic praised Heynckes' attitude, mentioning the coach is always the first to come and the last to leave. "He has made Bayern shine again," Salihamidzic said.

And he seems to have boosted the team's ambition. "We're all hungry to win titles," Mueller said. The striker said his team's motivation and ambitions are very special. "This is a team that has understood it needs teamwork to reach our goals," the 28-year-old emphasized. Enditem