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While all eyes were on the 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge during the first leg of the round of 16 ties between Barcelona and Chelsea in the Champions League, a somewhat forgotten European giant Bayern Munich slotted 5 past Besiktas, all but securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
It is hard to fathom the fact that despite being hugely successful domestically as well as in Europe, Bayern Munich often gets ignored mainly because of the presence of the two Spanish giants - Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Although the Bavarians have been rather subdued in Europe ever since their triumph in 2013, this could be the year when they can shrug off the disappointments of previous seasons to lift the coveted trophy.
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Here are the 5 reasons why Bayern Munich can win the Champions League this season:
#5 Bayern have been in tremendous form this season
After a tumultuous start to the season, the Bavarians bounced back to form in style and are in cruise control of the proceedings, domestically as well in Europe. Leading the Bundesliga standings with a staggering 17-point lead over their nearest rival Schalke, they are in the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal as well.
In their last 14 games in Bundesliga, the Bavarians have lost only once and drawn once. Moreover, in the Champions League, the Bavarians have lost only once - to PSG away from home.
Their European record is envious, to say the least: 8 games, 7 wins, 1 loss, 33 goals scored and only 8 conceded - out of which 3 were conceded during their Champions League encounter against PSG away from home.
The kind of form Bayern have displayed during the season hints at the fact that European glory might not be far away if they get their act together during the latter stages of the competition.
#4 Bundesliga title is all but wrapped up
Although the Bundesliga has been a one-horse race ever since Borussia Dortmund last won the title way back in 2012, one has to give credit to Bayern Munich for turning things around after an abysmal start to the season.
At the start of the season, Bayern were tepid under Carlo Ancelotti, with several senior players decrying his pedestrian coaching. The club was languishing in the European qualifying places by the time he left, and many people thought this to be the end of Bayern's dominance.
But ever since Jupp Heynckes took over as head coach, Bayern have seen an upward trend in their fortune and form as well. As things stand today, Bayern command a staggering lead of 17 points over second-placed Schalke.
With only 7 games to go, Bayern hace all but secured an astonishing sixth consecutive Bundesliga title, which means they can focus more on the European front.
One more advantage for Bayern is that they have to play 4 league games fewer because the German top flight consists of 18 teams only. This will account for lesser fatigue for the Bavarians compared to their rivals which could lead to a much more efficient performance from the German giants.
#3 Terrific squad with a good blend of youth and experience.
Bayern Munich can boast of having one of the most formidable playing XIs in Europe this season, with even Sven Ulreich, deputizing in place of the injured Manuel Neuer, raising his game considerably this season.
Every position boasts a player of immense capability. The squad is brimming with quality in defence as well as in attack, while also having a good blend of young players such as Kingsley Coman and James Rodriguez, as well as many experienced campaigners such as Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, and Manuel Neuer.
Since the knockout phase of the Champions League is usually played with a conservative approach rather than going gung-ho, matches can go down to the wire. In such situations, Bayern have the luxury of a wonderful bench which can alter the course of the game in their favor.
It is something that the likes of Barcelona and even Real Madrid, to a certain extent, cannot boast of.
#2 Bayern's midfield is very strong
Achieving midfield control is a must for any side to assert dominance in the Champions League, the prime example of that being Real Madrid, where Luka Modric and Toni Kroos laid the foundation for Los Blancos to clinch consecutive European titles.
Fortunately for Bayern, they have exactly the kind of midfield required to control the proceedings of the match. James Rodriguez has been in sparkling form this season, having already notched up 8 assists and 4 goals.
Also read: 5 players who silenced critics this season
Another summer signing, Corentin Tolisso has been in good form too, particularly in Europe where he has notched 3 goals and an assist too.
Moreover, with the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez as well as Arturo Vidal to bank upon, Bayern Munich's midfield looks indomitable, to say the least.
#1 Jupp Heynckes
When Jupp Heynckes took over the reins at Bayern Munich, the club was in utter turmoil, while, on the other hand, Dortmund looked all set to run away with the Bundesliga title. Fast forward 3 months and Bayern Munich were on top of the Bundesliga standings - yet again.
Heynckes' record in Europe is even more impressive: he has reached the final in all three of his previous seasons as a coach in the Champions League, lifting the trophy with Real in 1998 and with Bayern, a year after finishing 2012 runners-up to Premier League outfit Chelsea.
He also secured his 11th Champions League win on the spin against Besiktas. For all their blessed talent, Heynckes remains the club's greatest asset.
Despite winning two out the three finals he has participated in, it is hard to see him being heavily underrated. Even after a 4-year hiatus, his tactical acumen remains strong as ever and his arrival brought forth the rejuvenation of Thomas Muller and Sven Ulreich, both of whom have been immense to club's recent success this season.
With such an accomplished manager at the helm, Bayern look destined to replicate the success of their 2012/13 treble-winning campaign.
