(Sports Focus) Bayern entirely focused on German title

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, April 11, 2019
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By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, April 11 (Xinhua) -- In order to secure the 2019 Bundesliga title, Bayern Munich coach Niko Kovac is going to count on a regular starting eleven and abandon any further rotation efforts.

According to reports from inside the Bavarian club, the 47-year-old won't take the personal interest of players such as James Rodriguez, Jerome Boateng, Frank Ribery and Arjen Robben into consideration.

Kovac's choice seems strongly tied to the team that proved its quality when beating title rivals Borussia Dortmund 5-0 last weekend. With six games before the end of the season, Kovac is still struggling to stay in office despite the recent support of Bayern president Uli Hoeness.

Due to recent on-field improvements, insiders speak of Kovac having a realistic chance of keeping his job if he manages to win the Bundesliga and the German Cup. The Munich club leaders are demanding that Kovac creates a team carrying his mark.

The Bayern coach's new strategy might be good news for midfielders such as Thomas Muller, Javi Martinez and Thiago, as well as for wingers Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman. The quintet is seen as Bayern's load-bearing column for the fight to the finish, after the club regained the lead in the Bundesliga.

It is not good news for Ribery, Robben, Boateng, and James who are expected to leave the club this summer. As for Ribery and Robben, both club legends can't count on preferential treatment despite 10 or more years in Bayern's shirt. The former French and Dutch internationals are said to be in line for farewell games after the season's end.

Talking about James' future, things point towards the Colombian's departure, as Bayern most likely won't exercise its purchase option of 42 million euros to make James' loan stay from Real Madrid a permanent one.

Kovac surviving this season isn't going to improve James' situation, as the Bayern coach has not been impressed by the South American's performance.

Boateng is assumed to be heading for another European side such as Juventus, Paris Saint Germain or Manchester United.

Chelsea talent Callum Hudson-Odoi remains Bayern's primary target when it comes to new arrivals for the 2019/20 season. If Bayern can't achieve a deal with the Premier League outfit, 23-year-old Ivorian international Nicolas Pepe may be another option.

Internal reports speak of Kovac getting along better with Bayern's hierarchy after he followed the advice of Hoeness and club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to abandon his rotation policy and change his approach of trying to please all his squad members. Several players complained that Kovac was lacking in tactical options and that he should increase training efforts.

Over the last months, reports emerged suggesting that the Bayern coach had lost the dressing room. But now things appear to have changed, with Kovac altering his approach and restoring a positive relationship with his team.

The former Bayern midfielder underlined his team's capability of kicking off a series of victories as "we have done that before this season." Bayern managed to win six and seven consecutive games in two separate spells this season.

To win all six remaining games would secure the 2019 title, as the side sits one point ahead of Dortmund, and Kovac is convinced that this fact should supply enough motivation for everyone to stay focused. Enditem

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