Bayern Munchen broke more records as they completed another league-cup double on the domestic front but fans will be disappointed by their inability to mount a successful defense of their Champions League crown. Fresh from winning a historic treble, Bayern made their intentions of building on their dominance clear in the summer with former Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola taking over from Juup Heynckes while Mario Gotze was signed from arch rivals Borussia Dortmund. Guardiola also managed to bring in Thiago Alcantara from Barcelona, though the Spanish midfielder spent much of the season out injured. There were three major departures with Mario Gómez, Luiz Gustavo and Emre Can leaving the club while Nils Petersen's loan to Werder Bremen was made permanent. Guardiola's reign at the club started on a losing note as Bayern suffered a disappointing defeat to Dortmund in the German Super Cup. However they picked up their first trophy of the season by beating Chelsea on penalties in the UEFA Super Cup before embarking on a winning start in the league. Bayern dropped points just twice in their first eight games, being held to draws away to SC Freiburg and Bayer Leverkusen, before the defending champions created a new record of longest winning streak in the Bundesliga history, winning 19 games in a row to become the first team in the Bundesliga history to lift the trophy in March. They had already secured the Fifa Club World Cup while they had booked a place in the final of the DFB Cup following a 5-1 thrashing of Kaiserslautern. Bayern were looking ominous on the European front as well and though they did struggle against English sides, they were clear favorites to become the first side to successfully defend the European title as well. However wrapping up the league early seemed to have a negative effect on the German giants as they suffered a shock defeat to Augsburg after Guardiola fielded a second string side. Bayern went into their Champions League semi final as favorites ahead of Real Madrid but Guardiola's side suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat in the Spanish capital. The first signs of protests against Guardiola's possession philosophy came following the defeat with club legend Franz Beckenbauer stating that something was not right at Bayern. A 0-4 drubbing in the second leg soon followed to knock Bayern out of the competition, prompting Guardiola to say that if the club was not happy with his work, then he would leave. The situation soon cooled down though and Bayern ended the season strongly, winning their last four league games while managing to beat Dortmund in the DFB Cup final after scoring two goals in extra time. Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben both had another excellent season on the flanks while Mario Mandzukic top scored with 18 goals. However it was Philip Lahm who once again proved to be the key for Bayern with Guardiola's decision to move him to the midfield allowing the more creative players the freedom to move around the pitch. Guardiola has confirmed that Lahm will be playing in the midfield next season, a move that could have an impact on Bayern's summer dealings. The champions have already completed the move for Robert Lewandowski, further weakening Dortmund while Sebastian Rode has also been signed on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt. However they still need a right back either to replace Lahm or to act as cover for Rafinha while a central defender should also be high on the list after their defensive frailties were exposed in a stunning fashion by Madrid. Even though Mandzukic is expected to leave the club while there are doubts over Xherdan Shaqiri's future at the club, Bayern remain the best side in Germany and are poised for another dominating season next year.
