Can any team realistically challenge Bayern right now?

Best team in the world they are but even so they can lose one or two games. Think Dortmund would have the best chance against them. Don't think Barcelona would do very well.

The thread title is pretty clear he was referring to the form Bayern is on right now, not where they were before the season, not where they were a week ago.

At this moment I would only give Dortmund the sniff of having a chance just because of familiarity of opponent in a one-off game. Otherwise, no I don't see anyone else challenging Bayern on their current form.

The scary part is Bayern still have much to improve on under the "Pep" system and haven't truly found their best form yet.

No team is unbeatable, ever. In a one-off game, every team has a chance, and if they simply park a bus and some more in front of the goal and try to catch them on a counter.

Over a whole Bundesliga season, things look a bit different as they have an enormous depth at the moment which gives them a huge advantage in the long run. Nonetheless I think Dortmund should have a chance to challenge them if they don't mess up against the "weaker" BL teams as they did last season.

Based on current form, the odds will always be in Bayern's favour. They're strong, organized and consistent. Real Madrid are relatively disorganized, and I seem to be the only one who predicted that they would get completely steamrolled in the last El Clasico. I was wrong. But then again, Barca are far weaker now than they have been in previous seasons, and that probably evened out the odds a bit. Of course, any team in football can win with a little bit of luck on their side, but I don't think any team is quite up to Bayern's standard, right now.

No one is unbeatable . They might not win the CL this season so you'll get your answer.

No team is unbeatable, but this Bayern comes very close to it. The thing is, even when they not play well they can still beat you because of their german mentality and fighting spirit. Something the Barcelona under Pep lacked.

When they play close to their level or on it, every other team is gonna get smoked. Only Dortmund stand a real chance to beat them over 2 legs in the CL. And maybe Chelsea could upset them in the KO stage in a 2 legged tie, cause Mourinho and Chelsea are famous for beating the odds. But remember, this Bayern ain't the the Barcelona of 2011/12 that Chelsea have beaten back then.

Bayern hase everything. The whole a to z thing wat a complete football team has to have. I don't and can't say they're the best ever or on course to become, but without a doubt they are the most complete team i have ever seen. Great goalkeeper, 2 of the if not the best fullbacks in Europe. Solid and physichal defence. Couple of beast midfielders, great wingers, workhorse attackers. Strengt, power, technical, height, direct game, possesion game, counter-attacks, long range shots, dribbling, great link up play etc you name it all. They just got the whole phucking thing.

Let me tell you this: In a 2 legged CL KO tie, no way the likes of Barcelona/Real/Arsenal/United/PSG/Juve/City/Napoli would beat Bayern. Only Dortmund and Chelsea stand a chance to upset this Bavarian machine. Chelsea's change is very small. The rest is gonna get smoked. This Bayern team means buisness and they really mean it after that horrible night against Chelsea in the 2012 CL final. Europe laughed at them, that's when the Bavarian boys got their old fighting mentality back. And a Bayern Munich with a winning mentality is one heck of a scary thing. The rest of Europe is screwed for now and the upcoming years, I'm afraid.

Every team is beatable. Bayern doesn't have the talent advantage over certain clubs like Barca and Madrid. Without that advantage, it all comes down to form, execution and luck.

No matter what people think, there's always 3-5 teams that are capable of beating each other at the top. Maybe more some years too...

Great Leader Sprucenuce wrote:Dortmund have already beaten them ffs

that was very early in the season. But since the question is only about 'challenge' yeah Dortmund can. In fact the Dortmund style is one of the few styles which can cause Bayern problems except parking the bus.

Other than that only Mou can beat them I am surprised no one came up with that

No team is unbeatable, but the way Bayern destroyed City at Etihad stadium was unreal.

@sportsczy

You think Bayern, who had the most dominating season ever by a european club and the best/most impressive treble ever, outperformed the likes of Barca and Real because of form and luck? You gotta be kidding me.

Bayern has pound for pound the most talented team on earth at this moment. Anyone who says otherwise is just a frustated Barca, Real or EPL fanboy. The Germans won't get the same hype and respect by the international football media, who are dominated by the british media, cause of some reasons that has to do with a dark side of history. But somebody who's objectiv and realistic can't deny that Bayern's squad is the superior one in Europe at the moment.

Look, this guys have been the best playing team in the 2011/12 CL season. Argubally the best football of the 4 semi finalsist, Chelsea/Bayern/Barca/Real, that season has been played by the Bavarian boys. Eventually they ended up on the losing side in the finale in a very, very hars way. But what they did the fellowing season? They absolutelly hammered and raped every team in front of them. Winning the Bundesliga with by a whole 25 (!!!!) point margin against the second best team, Dortmund, in Europe that season. They've scooled one of the so called English top teams Arsenal away in the Emirates. Then they ripped a very good Juventus side, champions of Italy and dominating the Serie A, like it was nothing on a 4-0 agg. Barcelona where ripped in a billion parts in the most one sided semi final the CL has ever whitnessed with a record 7-0 beating. We're talking about Barcelona, a team that cruised to the La Liga title and where seen as the best team ever. Ok, they where not on their best anymore, but come on don't let's kidding ourselves: It takes a very special performance and talented team to beat Barcelona 7-0. They went on to win the final and also the DFB pokal. That's special, that's phucking special. For a team that 12 monts earlier ended up as runners up in all competitions and the worst of all, the lost CL final in own stadium in front of their own crownd..how special is it and how much work & talent does it take to bounce back the year after with the finest treble the football world has ever seen?

They where murdered by the press, anylasists, high profile people in the football world and laughed at by almost whole Europe. Uli Hoeness, Rummenigge, Beckenbauer and the rest of their arrogant bunch of Munich bosses, players and supporters have been losing one of the most dramatical CL finals ever and alot of people seemed to enjoy it. Barca supporters, Real supporters, the British supporters and even the Italian ones seemed to have a nice time with seeing the arrogant Bayern crying their eyes out of losing against Chelsea at home.

It takes a very, very special football club and extremly talented football team to bounce back from such a dramatical lose. They did it in style. Breaking records in the Bundesliga and CL left, right and center. And still you can't give them the credit for being the best and most talented team in Europe at this very moment? Please go and keep believing you're EPL and Barca/Real hype then..

No British club comes close to Bayern at this moment. Barcelona, still very good, have been past it and some key players of their golden erea are not on the same level anymore. They're defentially a tier below Bayern and Real has been overratted for a very long time now. Bayern has almost better players in each position than Real and a superior depth on the bench. You really think a team with a midfield of Khadeira/Alonso/Modric is gonna win the battle against the likes Martinez/Schweini and Kroos? Keep on dreaming son..

Dortmund won against them 4-2 in the beginning of the season. Even last season, in UCL Final Dortmund dominated Bayern in most parts of the game! If the referee gave the red card for Dante "which he DESERVED", the result could have been very different = no treble. People woudn't overrate them the way they're doing now (unbeatable?)...

Bayern won 7-0 (2 legs) against Barca last season, but people act as if this is the real difference between the 2 teams which is completely WRONG! Its obvious that Bayern were better but a lot of circumstances helped them win with such big result.

Bayern have a better squad than any team in Europe this season, and this is what will give them the advantage vs other teams. But, if I want to compare the best 11 (Barca vs Bayern) IMO Barca are slightly better. A fit Barca vs a fit Bayern, the game is going to be very close!

Khaled wrote:Dortmund won against them 4-2 in the beginning of the season. Even last season, in UCL Final Dortmund dominated Bayern in most parts of the game! If the referee gave the red card for Dante "which he DESERVED", the result could have been very different = no treble. People woudn't overrate them the way they're doing now (unbeatable?)...

Bayern won 7-0 (2 legs) against Barca last season, but people act as if this is the real difference between the 2 teams which is completely WRONG! Its obvious that Bayern were better but a lot of circumstances helped them win with such big result.

Bayern have a better squad than any team in Europe this season, and this is what will give them the advantage vs other teams. But, if I want to compare the best 11 (Barca vs Bayern) IMO Barca are slightly better. A fit Barca vs a fit Bayern, the game is going to be very close!

The only thing Barca has on Bayern is Messi.

Meh...  every loss is dramatic for every team in a different way.  We got crushed 5-0 by Barca in the first clasico under Mou yet we came back and caught up to them.

Bayern had a great season last year... but Dortmund beat them big time to start this season.

The common denominator?  Madrid and Dortmund have massive talent and they can compete with anyone.  

As long as there isn't a huge talent gap, the game is up for grabs.  

There's no such thing as an unbeatable team.  Too much talent for one team to hoard it all...

Pretty much what Sport said.

All this talk of Bayern depth is great, but you can only play 11 players at once. Those 11 arent clearly more talented than other teams. And even if they were, havent Chelsea, Dortmund and many others proven time and time again it doesnt matter with team-work and a game plan?

They are probably the number 1 team you would bet your money on, I think both them and Dortmund would take Madrid and Barca right now, but there is hardly any difference in talent and any of the 4 (plus others depending on match ups) could win on a given day. Dont be niave, there is no unbeatable teams, there wasnt when Barca were at their top level and there certainly isnt now.

Atletico Madrid could beat Bayern and I wouldnt even be that surprised.

To me the biggest difference between Dortmund and Bayern compared to Madrid and Barca isn't talent or depth or any of that stuff.

Its the mere fact Dortmund and Bayern are much better coached and built around the idea that Team > Individual unlike the Spanish Duo.

But i still wouldn't be surprised if any of those 4 teams lost to someone else.... football isn't an exact science.

Valkyrja wrote:

Khaled wrote:Dortmund won against them 4-2 in the beginning of the season. Even last season, in UCL Final Dortmund dominated Bayern in most parts of the game! If the referee gave the red card for Dante "which he DESERVED", the result could have been very different = no treble. People woudn't overrate them the way they're doing now (unbeatable?)...

Bayern won 7-0 (2 legs) against Barca last season, but people act as if this is the real difference between the 2 teams which is completely WRONG! Its obvious that Bayern were better but a lot of circumstances helped them win with such big result.

Bayern have a better squad than any team in Europe this season, and this is what will give them the advantage vs other teams. But, if I want to compare the best 11 (Barca vs Bayern) IMO Barca are slightly better. A fit Barca vs a fit Bayern, the game is going to be very close!

The only thing Barca has on Bayern is Messi.

Messi, Neymar and Iniesta [individually are ahead of any of Bayern's players]!

GK: Neuer = Valdes.

Bayern defense is better as a team, they are better physically. Barca are improving, but our defenders (Masche Adriano Alves) won't gain 10cm and become great at aerial duels. Conceding the least possible corners, reducing the number of fouls around our penalty box is what we should work on. Also, a fit Puyol and with Bartra who's gaining more experience can help solving this problem. We did well in this aspect vs RM.

Other positions its close.

A fit Puyol doesn't exist

Against RM ? I can't believe ppl are rating Barca because of this match You played well in the first half when we had 5 def on the field, after Illarra came on we domintated ffs

if that chav chelsea team can beat barca2012 and bayern2012 and win ucl . then anything can happen in football .

i am dead serious. football is a very mysterious game .



this chelsea side can easily beat bayern (obviously its much better than its 2012 squad ) but if bayern changes gears and produce a man cityesque performance  mourinho can call on his players to do dark arts  thuggery (terry ), midfield clogging (see his earlier chelsea or inter) , two footed lunges (ramires) even ten man behind ball A moment of lapse from bayern is enough for opportunistic hazard oscar or mata (if he plays ) to pounce on to produce a wing play or cross that torres can take advantage of .


if chelsea forwards covert its going to be very tough for bayern (bayern got away with it in super cup ) LIGHTENING NEVER STRIKE TWICE .

if once again they meet each other chelsea could use the same tactics as in super cup and come out victorious

Valkyrja wrote:A fit Puyol doesn't exist

Against RM ? I can't believe ppl are rating Barca because of this match You played well in the first half when we had 5 def on the field, after Illarra came on we domintated ffs

Your team is shit no doubt You should be 10+ points behind in 4th or 5th place if not for the referee mistakes. But, Real Madrid have the weapons that can hurt Barcelona. Counter attacks with players like Cristiano, Bale and Di Maria. Our defence has been improving since the start of the season and we were able to limit your chances. Cristiano had one shot in the whole game, one of he's lowest since joining madrid!
I rate Barcelona because of the results and overall play from the start of the season, its clear we're improving in the 2 aspects that we suffered from last season. Defense and playing more direct when needed.

Khaled wrote:Messi, Neymar and Iniesta [individually are ahead of any of Bayern's players]!

GK: Neuer = Valdes.

Bayern defense is better as a team, they are better physically. Barca are improving, but our defenders (Masche Adriano Alves) won't gain 10cm and become great at aerial duels. Conceding the least possible corners, reducing the number of fouls around our penalty box is what we should work on. Also, a fit Puyol and with Bartra who's gaining more experience can help solving this problem. We did well in this aspect vs RM.

Other positions its close.

Valdés is not equal to Neuer.

Valdes is equal with Neuer?

Neymar is as good as Robben, Ribery, Gotze, Schweinsteiger, Lahm, etc? Iniesta too? (at least that is arguable but I still disagree that hes better than all of them).

Just wow.

juventus101 wrote:Valdes is equal with Neuer?

Neymar is as good as Robben, Ribery, Gotze, Schweinsteiger, Lahm, etc? Iniesta too? (at least that is arguable but I still disagree that hes better than all of them).

Just wow.

Maybe you're right, Valdes is currently better than Neuer.

I would pick Neymar over Ribery but its debatable, but for sure I would pick Iniesta over any of Bayern's attacking midfielders...

Khaled wrote:

juventus101 wrote:Valdes is equal with Neuer?

Neymar is as good as Robben, Ribery, Gotze, Schweinsteiger, Lahm, etc? Iniesta too? (at least that is arguable but I still disagree that hes better than all of them).

Just wow.

Maybe you're right, Valdes is currently better than Neuer.

I would pick Neymar over Ribery but its debatable, but for sure I would pick Iniesta over any of Bayern's attacking midfielders...

Ribery is one of the best and most talented players in the world, Neymar is unproven player who has won nothing in Europe and hasn't led the team or his NT in the way that Ribery does... Iniesta IS WC and one of the best if not the best in what he does but Bayern's midfield will never consist in that kind of a player he would only slot into Goetze's place no one elses. The running the tackling and the stamina that Schwein has and Muller and those guys is something that Iniesta lacks but its needed in those position in this system so sorry. Lahm and whole defense that Bayern has is far better than the one that Barca has even if you can call that defense tbh.... few good months in the last 3-4 years doesn't make Valdes better than Neuer.

Sorry Barca fans but tbh apart from Messi and Iniesta I don't see in what position Barca is better than BM... and yes Barca is top class team