Bayern Munich may not now be able to pick up six titles in 2013/14, but vice-captain Bastian Schweinsteiger still has his sights set on six winners’ medals this season.
Defeat in the German Super Cup last weekend means Bayern can now only add to the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League they are looking to defend by lifting the UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup if they are to better their treble-winning 2012/13 campaign.
But, with the World Cup also on the horizon next summer, Germany international Schweinsteiger could still sweep the board and add a further six titles to his ever-growing list of achievements.
“Whenever I take to the field, I want to win – also at the World Cup,” said the 28-year-old, who has just been voted the German football writers’ player of the year for 2013.
“I want to defend all of the titles we’ve got – particularly the Champions League.”
No side has ever successfully defended the Champions League since the tournament assumed its current title in 1992.
With Pep Guardiola taking charge, and new signings of the Thiago Alcantara and Mario Goetze also in the squad, Bayern are widely favoured to break that taboo and also successfully defend their other titles although the 4-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday suggested they may not have everything their own way in 2013/14.