By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- A leading edge of 16 points in the domestic league will cause problems in the Champions League for German Champion Bayern Munich, says former German international and Bayern leader Stefan Effenberg.
"Easily dominating the national league has a relaxing effect inevitably," the 49-year-old commented. "Concentration, motivation is declining naturally. To say it clearly; having such a success affects the performance in the Champions League," the former midfielder commented.
Effenberg says the Bundesliga is far from a thrilling competition. He claims the English Premier League and the Spanish La Liga provide more challenges and are more demanding than the German Bundesliga.
The leading clubs such as Manchester City in England and FC Barcelona in Spain have to invest more effort to secure their position, Effenberg emphasized. Both leagues demand more speed and energy than the German league, Effenberg told German media.
Recently Bayern defender and German international Mats Hummels told the sports-magazine kicker he regards the English and Spanish league to be stronger and more challenging than the German Bundesliga. "The Bundesliga lacks a second or third challenging team increasing competition. To rely on a comfortable lead is nothing that makes you go faster," the 29-year-old stressed.
In contrast to the situation in the leagues in England and Spain is Bayern's domestic dominance decreasing their chances to win the 2017/2018 Champions League. "The problem reminds me of the time of Pep Guardiola in Munich," Effenberg said.
In the Spaniards, three years long era the Bavarians secured the German title always achieving a relaxing lead but at the same time failed to realize their great dream to win the Champions League. Three times the side got eliminated in the semifinal.
"The problem was not the team's lack of fitness; that is nonsense. I am convinced the lack of inner tension was a main the reason. At a certain point you realize, an effort of 80 to 90 percent is enough to win the thing," the former professional stated.
When Bayern can continue its series of victories, the side will secure the German title as early as after 29 rounds of matches.
Bayern's current coach Jupp Heynckes has the same problem as Guardiola when trying to keep up the team's spirit despite not having to face demanding challenges every weekend Effenberg assumed. "It is a mental case when you all of a sudden meet the big boys in an international competition," he said.
Other than the former professional the lead of his team is nothing that bothers Bayern coach Heynckes. "I don't expect the team to lean back and lose tension," the 2013 treble winner told the Nuremberg-based football magazine "kicker."
Heynckes said he is impressed by the outstandingly high intensity of the team's training sessions. To give his team confidence and stability Heynckes is postponing rotation to allow the team to find a suitable rhythm.
Not to be under constant pressure is a threat to Heynckes and his team says Effenberg adding Pep Guardiola could tell the full story. Bayern will have to keep an eye on its motivation in the coming weeks and be aware of the possible difficulties.
An advantage could be those golden agers such as Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery, and Arturo Vidal, who might see their last chance to be successful in the Champions League this season. While the third division side of SC Paderborn 07 is waiting in the quarterfinals of the German Cup on Feb. 6, Bayern has to face the Turkish club Besiktas Istanbul in the last 16 round of the Champions League on Feb. 20.
