"We push each other more than we used to" - Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer
Freshly crowned FIFA Best Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer says Bayern Munich's winning appetite has reached an all-time high under Hansi Flick.
Bayern had already claimed 28 Bundesliga, 19 DFB Cup and five UEFA Champions League titles when Flick was installed as head coach, initially on an interim basis, on 3 November 2019.
Given a new lease of life by Joachim Löw's former 2014 FIFA World Cup-winning assistant, the record champions proceeded to suffocate the opposition as they romped to a quite brilliant treble, and remain the team to beat almost halfway though 2020/21.
Watch: Bayern Munich's 2019/20 treble winners
"If you look closely now, you can see how we players have changed," Neuer said in an interview with Bayern club magazine 51. "We push each other more than we used to, because we have to release these forces more from within.
"After making a save I would rarely, or really never, cheer. Today, I make a fist as a sign for all of us, for me: 'Yes, we're here, we're strong!'
"We currently have such a great team, which has formed a unit with the coaching staff, in which we can compensate for the empty stands as best we can, because unfortunately [they're] not there at the moment.
"We can be proud of this team," he added, Bayern having coming from behind to get a positive result in each of their last seven league games of 2020. "I personally have never experienced team spirit like it, and I've been in football for quite a while."
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A world champion with eight Bundesliga titles, six DFB Cups and two Champions League trophies under his belt, Neuer is enjoying his 15th season as a professional, and 10th at Bayern following his summer 2011 move from boyhood club Schalke.
The 34-year-old got his acclaimed hands on five of a possible six pieces of silverware in 2012/13, but could make it an historic six in February when the Bundesliga, DFB Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and German Supercup holders travel to Qatar to contest the FIFA Club World Cup.
It is a feat only one club has achieved - Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, in 2009.
"The next big title for our team is coming up soon in 2021," the Bayern and Germany captain said. "Winning the Club World Cup in 2013 was a great experience. Winning the Champions League again has now earned us the chance to make history with this title.
"We want to seize this opportunity. For the club, for ourselves - and last but not least for our fans!"
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