Bayern ready to get Bundesliga title party started

Bayern Munich can clinch the Bundesliga title in record time with a win at Mainz today if results elsewhere go their way, but “We really don’t mind when we win it,” said striker Claudio Pizarro.

Pep Guardiola has Bayern Munich on the verge of achieving part of their pre-season plan - the Bundesliga title. Odd Andersen / AFP

Bayern Munich can clinch the Bundesliga title in record time with a win at Mainz today if results elsewhere go their way.

Victory at the Coface Arena combined with draws or worse for Borussia Dortmund and Schalke would see Bayern secure a second straight Bundesliga crown, with eight games still to go.

“We really don’t mind when we win it,” said striker Claudio Pizarro, who is on the verge of his fifth Bundesliga title. “What matters is that we have it in the bag soon so that we can focus on the other competitions.

“I’m convinced that we can win the treble. We have a great team and a great coach.”

If Bayern, who have been drawn to face Manchester United in the Uefa Champions League quarter-finals, do not seal the Bundesliga title today, they will get another chance to do so in the capital when they tackle Hertha Berlin on Tuesday.

Two wins from the next two games would guarantee Bayern the title, before their next home assignment.

“It looks like we’re going to win it away from home again,” Peruvian Pizarro said. “It’s a pity, also for our fans at the Allianz Arena, with whom we would like to celebrate immediately, but that’s the way things are. All that matters is we win the league and then we can celebrate with the fans later.” Coach Pep Guardiola, who is in his first season in charge of Bayern, said: “If we do win the league, then we’ve got to celebrate, no matter what comes next. It’s a Bundesliga title and we’ve worked very, very hard for it.”

Mainz will be planning to delay the party.

“We’re really looking forward to this game,” coach Thomas Tuchel said. “We’re convinced that this is just the right time to face Bayern.

“We’ve set ourselves up to be able to play this game without any fears.”

Dortmund will look to keep the championship fight alive by winning at Hannover, but they will be without Marcel Schmelzer, the German full-back, for the encounter.

He has been ruled out for four weeks with a groin injury that he picked up during Wednesday’s Champions League home tie with Zenit St Petersburg.

Dortmund are still in the Champions League, something Schalke are not after they lost 9-2 on aggregate to Real Madrid, and manager Jens Keller wants his side to bounce back immediately.

They face bottom side Eintracht Braunschweig today and Keller said: “Our coming challenges are all very significant, which is why it would be very important to win them.”

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