One down, three to go for resurgent Bayern

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal led the tributes as the German champions extended their unbeaten streak to seven games to get in amongst the European places in Germany’s Bundesliga for the first time this season.

“That was the best Bundesliga match under my direction,” van Gaal said after Saturday’s 4-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt lifted Bayern up to fifth.

“Eintracht defended well but we still created a lot of chances. The best thing was the confidence and passion shown by my players. And the fans saw that. I am very happy because I think we’re on the right track.”

Bayern are now three points behind third placed Bayer Leverkusen, who sit in the final Champions League qualification spot, but still 11 points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund.

“We are three points from third place. That is the minimum what we have to achieve,” added van Gaal.

While impressive so far in the Champions League, for which they have progressed to the last 16 knockout phase, Bayern’s domestic woes have left them chasing as many points as possible from four scheduled games before the winter break.

Despite the 4-1 win, the Bavarian side’s players know there’s still work to do.

“We know that we are way behind and are not the favourites and that we need the points,” said striker Mario Gomez, who scored in his seventh consecutive match to take his goals tally to 15 from the last 11 matches in all competitions.

“We can’t sit back and watch what Dortmund or Mainz or Hannover or Leverkusen are doing. We just have to get points on the board and hope to be in a good spot over Christmas.”

Bayern welcomed back France playmaker Franck Ribery, who, following full recovery from injury, played a full 90 minutes in the Bundesliga for the first time since the fourth game day on September 18.

Van Gaal also subbed in captain Mark van Bommel, who hasn’t appeared in the Bundesliga since October 3.

Despite a chaotic performance from Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten, the win helped soothe the pain of Bayern’s 3-2 Champions League defeat to Roma in midweek, after they had built a 2-0 half-time lead.

Bayern’s fourth straight victory at home also gives van Gaal some breathing space heading into Bayern’s annual general assembly meeting on Tuesday.

Still, there was a hint of concern from Bayern’s management.

“There is only peace at FC Bayern when you play successful football. That’s just how it is,” said Bayern director of sport Christian Nerlinger.

“We have to be successful. That is the prerequisite. Then things can be more comfortable. As long as we are lagging behind the leaders there will always be restlessness.”

Defender van Buyten meanwhile has been told his performances must improve.

He made two major blunders, one which ended with centre back Breno saving Theofanis Gekas’s shot on the line before Gekas converted on the Belgian defender’s second mistake to score the equaliser and level 1-1.

“It’s not acceptable for Daniel to make these mistakes at this level – you pay for them,” warned Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. Van Buyten did not play the second half.