Bayern Munich targets double repeat with Goretzka at the fore
BERLIN
Bayern Munich can take another step towards repeating last season’s German league and cup double on June 10, with midfielder Leon Goretzka a player transformed since the coronavirus shutdown.
Bayern hosts Eintracht Frankfurt behind closed doors in the semifinals of the German Cup, three days before it could conceivably wrap up an eight successive Bundesliga title.
Hansi Flick’s side has won all five games since the league resumed last month following the coronavirus suspension, including a 5-2 rout of June 3’s opponent Frankfurt.
Germany international Goretzka has been at the heart of Bayern’s impressive displays, notching two goals and three assists since the restart.
“I feel very good at the moment,” said Goretzka, who set up a goal for Kingsley Coman and then scored himself in June 6’s 4-2 win at Bayer Leverkusen.
The 25-year-old said he made the most of the unscheduled break to spend more time in the gym, giving Bayern extra muscle in midfield alongside the likes of Joshua Kimmich and Thiago Alcantara.
“I haven’t lost any speed, quite the opposite,” said Goretzka, cited by Flick as the catalyst behind Bayern’s comeback win at Leverkusen last weekend.
“Leon was instrumental. With his physique, he has a huge presence on the pitch,” said Flick.
“He set the tone that you need in a team when things are not going so well. He did that brilliantly.”
Frankfurt upset Bayern in the 2018 German Cup final with a 3-1 victory in Berlin, but the Bavarians have already beaten Eintracht home and away in the league this season.
“We still have no intention of taking our foot off the accelerator,” said Goretzka.
A treble also remains possible for Bayern, who are on the verge of the Champions League quarterfinals after a 3-0 win at Chelsea in the last 16, first leg in February. The competition has been on hold since mid-March.
