Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal believes the pressure is starting to get to his side’s rivals.
Bayern remained top of the Bundesliga at weekend, despite losing their first game in the last 20.
Both Schalke and Bayer Leverkusen squandered opportunities to move above Bayern after their 2-1 defeat in Frankfurt on Saturday, and Van Gaal believes that suggests only Bayern have the mentality to win this year’s Bundesliga title.
“We are allowed to lose games because the others cannot cope with the pressure,” he said. “We saw once again that it is not easy for the others to lead the league.
“Schalke and Leverkusen have proven that again. (Schalke manager) Felix Magath and his players have missed their chance.”
Bayern remain on course for three titles this season and Van Gaal says his team are hungry for success.
“I think that the league title is the biggest aim for Bayern Munich, but the players would also like to win the DFB-Pokal and the Champions League,” he said. “I want to win all three.
“We are top of the league, we are in the semi-finals of the cup and the quarter-finals of the Champions League – which other team in Europe can say that? Only Bordeaux and Inter Milan, coached by my good friend Jose Mourinho.”
