By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- Bayern Munich's epic 7-2 victory on Oct. 1 in the White Hart Lane arena was a strong statement. But the question remains: How profound is the Bavarian side when it comes to winning the 2019/20 Champions League?

Back in March, Bayern seems to have hit rock bottom after being humiliated 3-1 by Liverpool on home soil, leaving deep wounds noticeable until today.

Now things seem to have improved as far as Bayern coach Niko Kovac is concerned. Not only has the disputed coach gained appreciation but the 47-year-old seems to have formed a squad able to challenge Europe's big clubs.

The new Bayern seems back in the race. "This will make Bayern's European rivals sit upright and listen," 150-time capped Lothar Matthaeus assumed.

A wave of enthusiasm is sweeping through German media after Serge Gnabry scored four goals aside from two of Polish striker Robert Lewandowski.

Gnabry is only the second German after Mario Gomez in 2012, achieving that figure. The 24-year-old Gnabry caressed the game-ball when Bayern supporters gave it back after Javi Martinez kicked it to the stands.

"My dad told me to show a good performance, so I had to obey his orders," Gnabry said.

Like Germany's 7-1 over Brazil at the 2014 World Cup, the tabloid Bild discovered, adding a "wow" in big letters. The Spiegel spoke of a historic night while the Westdeutsche Allgemeine talked about "a sign for Bayern's European rivals."

Bild delivered reasons why Bayern is a serious rival. The 2013 treble winner can count on two leaders driven by greediness such as Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich.

It will be interesting to see if Kimmich will return to midfield in the upcoming games as Bayern's performance gained dynamic and efficiency when the 24-year-old moved back to the right-back position. Corentin Tolisso and Thiago Alcantara did a great job ahead of the back row.

Bayern upgraded its squad with Brazilian Coutinho as a pacemaker and widened their coach's options as Gnabry and Kingsley Coman seems to be suitable successors of legends Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben. Bayern's game isn't only pined on an active play over the flanks anymore.

Kimmich and Lewandowski developed to true leaders while goal-keeper Manuel Neuer seems in the best shape ever. "We have to take the game as what it is, a great victory. But we can't start to say we will beat the hell out of everyone in Europe now," Neuer commented.

Coach Kovac called for modesty with many challenges still ahead. Enditem

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