Thomas Müller (bottom) says Bayern Munich's table-topping form gives them the edge over title rivals Borussia Dortmund. - © imago/Norbert Schmidt

bundesliga

Bayern Munich's Thomas Müller: "Borussia Dortmund cannot afford any slip-ups in title race"

27.03.2019

Thomas Müller has warned Borussia Dortmund that defending champions Bayern Munich are ready to pounce on any slip-ups their title rivals might make during the run-in.

Bayern trailed Dortmund by nine points in late January, but have hit top form in recent months to reclaim first place by virtue of a superior goal difference. And while Müller and Co. have taken maximum points from their last six Bundesliga fixtures, BVB have claimed 11 from a possible 18.

"Dortmund cannot afford any slip-ups because we’re in fantastic shape," Müller asserted with an eye on Bayern’s upcoming trip to Freiburg and Dortmund’s meeting with Wolfsburg. "It’s shaping up to be a thrilling title race - it must be a neutral’s dream."

Watch: Müller ended a run of 10 games without a goal in Bayern's five-star win at Gladbach

To add even more excitement to the neck-and-neck race for honours, the two German giants meet in Munich on 6 April, after which there will be just six rounds of fixtures remaining of the 2018/19 campaign. But it's the final straight rather than Der Klassiker that Müller believes will determine the destination of the title.

"The Dortmund game will have a bearing on the title race, but it won’t be the deciding factor," the seven-time Bundesliga winner opined. "Getting back ahead on goal difference does us no harm at all, though."

Müller has made a telling contribution to Bayern’s free-scoring resurgence. The 29-year-old has started the record champions' last three league games, registering two goals and as many assists across thumping 5-1 and back-to-back 6-0 victories over Borussia Mönchengladbach, Wolfsburg and Mainz respectively.

As ever with the self-titled Raumdeuter (space interpreter), however, his performances are not only measured on what he accomplishes in the final third.

"Thomas has been brilliant in attack, but also defensively," said Bayern head coach Niko Kovac. "We need that at Bayern. If we don't concede, or only concede once, we have a good chance of winning matches. Hats off to him."