Muller starts treble talk after Besiktas rout

THOMAS MULLER says Bayern Munich could repeat their 2013 treble after crushing 10-man Besiktas 5-0 in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

Bayern have one foot in the quarterfinals with Besiktas facing a near impossible task for the return leg in Istanbul on March 14.

Both Muller and Poland striker Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Bayern ran riot in the second half in Germany.

“Everything is possible,” Muller said when asked whether Bayern can repeat their 2013 haul of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles.

However head coach Jupp Heynckes, 72, who oversaw the treble five years ago, insists Bayern must do better if they want all three titles again.

“Any talk like that is the job of journalists, the Champions League is a different competition and we must improve,” said Heynckes. “Everyone in the stadium saw that we found it hard in the first half.

“We didn’t find our rhythm and we were nervous – I don’t know my team like that.

“In the first half there wasn’t any tempo to our game, our passing was off and it allowed Besiktas to attack us more.

“The opener before the break gave us a psychological advantage and in the second half we saw a different Bayern team.

“We scored some great goals and played some good football.”

Disaster struck for Besiktas after just 16 minutes at the Allianz Arena when Croatian defender Domagoj Vida was sent off for hauling down Lewandowski as he was through on goal.

Muller broke the deadlock just before halftime when he scored his first from close range.

The floodgates then opened after the break as Kingsley Coman struck before Muller poached his second.

Lewandowski then scored two late goals to leave him with 29 goals in all competitions this season, as Bayern – 19 points clear in the league and through to the German Cup semifinals – claimed their 14th straight victory.

Muller said the introduction of veteran wingers Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery off the bench made the difference.

“It’s been five years since all our outfield players were fit and the trainer doesn’t have it easy, but everyone who came on did a good job,” said Muller.

“Arjen made us a bit more aggressive, Franck also did well and we need that extra bit of power from the bench.” – AFP