Bayern Munich boss Niko Kovac has shrugged off suggestions his side already have another Bundesliga title in the bag as they prepare for Tuesday’s clash with Augsburg.
Bayern go into the game on the back of four consecutive wins – a perfect start to the season – but Kovac insists he is not interested in records or statistics and is keen to take nothing for granted.
Kovac told a press conference: “We’re delighted to have started so well but I warn against seeing everything so rosy and I know we are going to drop points at some stage.
“Many are praising us but we must not allow that to make us careless. Records are totally uninteresting for me, and it is only important that we have started well in all competitions.”
Bayern go into the game boosted by the knowledge it is eight years since they last lost a game during Oktoberfest, while rivals Augsburg trudge into the game on the back of two straight losses.
Kovac is set to shuffle his side for the game, with striker Robert Lewandowski potentially being rested in favour of a first league start of the season for Sandro Wagner, while Renato Sanches and Jerome Boateng could also come in.
Kovac reserved particular praise for Colombian playmaker James Rodriguez, who starred and scored in his side’s 2-0 win at Schalke on Saturday.
Kovac added: “He has showed in the last three games why he is so great and how I can play him in any situation and he always finds solutions. He puts himself at the service of the team and attacking, he can do anything.”
Augsburg’s current problems are compounded by the fact both Koo Ja-cheol and Alfred Finnbogason are still unavailable due to injury.
But boss Manuel Baum cut a defiant figure as he spoke to the press ahead of his side’s mighty challenge in Munich.
Baum said: “I don’t believe in miracles but I do believe in hard work. It is extremely difficult to win at Bayern but I have to believe we can do it.
“We are fully concentrating on our match against Bayern and we know we cannot be too timid nor too aggressive in the game.
“The way we have approached each match this season has pleased me. We have secured four good points so far and we cannot dwell for too long on the disappointment of Saturday.”
ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'c0ee332a-af7a-4105-adff-d4b5fab3658f');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:football,paservice:sport:match-reports,paservice:sport:world');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Niko Kovac: Bayern haven\u2019t won anything yet'});
