Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 9y

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge warning for Bayern Munich's Bundesliga rivals

Ahead of the restart of the Bundesliga on Friday, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has warned the rest of the league that the German champions will continue to play the football that has opened an 11-point lead at the top of the table.

The Bayern chief asked the supporters of the 17 other Bundesliga clubs for their "understanding" that the Bundesliga title holders won't tire, and will keep pushing the limits.

On Friday, at the traditional kickoff of the Bundesliga year -- broadcast live on free TV -- a win at second-placed Wolfsburg could increase Bayern's lead at the top to 14 points.

"It'll be an exciting weekend. We're up against the team lying second and we want to come off the blocks well," Rummenigge told the club's official website.

Bayern set records for securing the fastest Bundesliga titles in history in the previous two seasons, but in 2014, after winning the league in late March, the Bavarians failed to keep their momentum.

Two defeats in the Bundesliga -- away at Augsburg and at home to Dortmund - were followed by a 5-0 aggregate defeat against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal.

"We need to hit peak form very quickly," Rummenigge said, and referred to the upcoming challenges in Bundesliga, the German Cup and Champions League, where the 2013 champions are set to meet Shakthar Donetsk in the round of the last-16 in February.

"We'd be well advised to show great respect and a touch of humility and not approach the second half of the season in a euphoric state," he added and explained that Bayern, at least in theory, could still lose the Bundesliga title.

The 59-year-old Bayern chief then asked "those who aren't Bayern fans" and are hoping for a closer title race "for understanding here. Bayern Munich's task is to play successful and attractive football, and the team has done it brilliantly up to now."

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