Kingsley Coman: "This Bayern Munich team can shape an era"
Kingsley Coman believes the current Bayern Munich team have what it takes to "shape an era" over the coming years.
The 24-year-old’s place in the club's record books is already firmly secured after his header in the 2020 UEFA Champions League title earned a 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain, and sealed Bayern’s second treble triumph.
Yet the France international is eager for more of the same. "We're a young side, and have players in their prime, so we've still got time," he told Sport Bild. "We can and want to defend our [Champions League] title."
Not only that, the Bayern No.29 is eager for the team to dominate the continental scene. "Between 2016 and 2018, Real Madrid won the Champions League three times. I'm absolutely convinced that we can shape an era with this team."
Their appetite for success has evidently not diminished this season. Hansi Flick's charges currently top the Bundesliga standings, and took 16 of a possible 18 points in Champions League Group A to ease into the round of 32, where they will now face Lazio.
Coman missed Bayern's 5-2 triumph over Mainz at the weekend with a thigh injury, but is expected to be fit in time for the Matchday 15 encounter at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday. He has been in fine form in 2020/21, scoring two goals and registering seven assists in 10 Bundesliga appearances so far.
Watch: Bayern's world-class stable of wingers
Want more Bundesliga Action?
That has earned him a place in Flick’s starting line-up, even in the face of fierce competition for places from Serge Gnabry, Douglas Costa and headline summer signing Leroy Sane.
"Leroy's really good, but we play in a different way to Manchester City, so he first needs to get used to our DNA," Coman said. "That's not something that you can do in a couple of days.
"There are four of us vying for two positions. We're teammates but obviously, we all want to play as much as possible. At the moment I'm doing well but maybe things will be different in a couple of months. Maybe Leroy, Serge or Douglas will be playing then. The important thing is that there are always at least two of us in top form."
Related news
How do Dortmund and Leipzig stack up?
We take a look at where the big Matchday 9 clash will be won as Dortmund look to push for the top four while Leipzig eye the Bundesliga's top spot on Saturday...
How do Boniface and Undav compare?
Ahead of Leverkusen's clash with Stuttgart on Friday, we take a look at the two star strikers' journeys in Germany.
Leverkusen and Stuttgart renew rivalry
After three fabulous tussles last season and Supercup drama in August, two of the Bundesliga's most attack-minded sides meet again on Friday.