Hans-Dieter Flick

The goalkeeper fractured his lower right leg in a fall on Friday and has already undergone surgery, with the calamitous setback coming just days after Germany tumbled out of the World Cup in the group stage.

Bayern must decide whether second-choice keeper Sven Ulreich takes over the gloves for the rest of the season, or if Neuer's injury should prompt a move for an elite replacement in the January transfer window.

Ulreich filled in when a shoulder problem kept Neuer sidelined earlier in the season, and Bayern have won all eight games in 2022-23 when the 34-year-old has started, conceding just six goals.

Former Germany Under-21 goalkeeper Alexander Nubel is in the second year of a two-year loan to Monaco, where he has been a first-team regular, and it is not yet known whether Bayern may look to recall the 26-year-old.

Bayern CEO Oliver Kahn said: "The news of Manuel's injury shocked us all. We will stand by him and accompany him on his way to his comeback.

"He will also overcome this serious injury and return to the pitch as strong as before."

In a statement on the club's website, sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic said: "The fact that Manuel had such an accident is terrible, and of course all our thoughts are with him.

"I spoke with him yesterday and today, and the surgery went as well as possible. Manuel will receive all the support he needs.

"He is a strong personality and will come back. I wish him all the best, he can rely on FC Bayern!"

Germany boss Hansi Flick also sent his best wishes, saying: "We wish Manu a speedy recovery!"

Neuer, 36, would have been hoping to play a key role in Bayern's pursuit of silverware in the Bundesliga and Champions League after the World Cup break.

He said the injury occurred while he was "trying to get my head clear" after the misery of Germany's early exit in Qatar.

Bayern face a daunting last-16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, while they are due to return to Bundesliga action on January 20 against RB Leipzig.

Lewandowski returned to full training this week after suffering knee ligament damage while away on international duty with Poland last month.

The striker missed both legs of Bayern's Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain as the defending champions were knocked out on away goals, while an extended absence hampered his chances of surpassing Gerd Muller's record tally of 40 league goals, achieved back in the 1971-72 season.

Sitting on 35 with just four games remaining, the 32-year-old is set to make his comeback when Flick's table-topping side visit Mainz on Saturday.

A win on the road will secure a ninth successive league crown and while Lewandowski is also so close to achieving personal glory, the team still comes first for Flick.

"I think we all agree that's his major goal," the Bayern boss told a news conference on Friday.

"He's going to be part of the squad, Leon Goretzka is going to be part of the squad, Serge Gnabry is probably going to be part of the squad. The squad is slowly but surely filling up again – we are returning to normal, which is good of course.

"It's important for us to win the championship - we want to do that as quickly as possible."

On Lewandowski's impending return, he added: "Don't forget that he was out for four weeks.

"He's in very good shape, he showed that in training, but we have to wait and see how he handles the training sessions and the comeback attempt, how his body reacts.

"Of course we will all try to support him, but first of all our focus and priority is the success of the team and the club."

Lewandowski was badly missed as Bayern scored just three goals from 45 shots and eight 'big chances' against PSG. In the 3-2 home defeat in the first leg, the German club's tally of 31 attempts were worth 3.8 expected goals (xG).

Out of Europe, the Bundesliga is the solitary focus for Flick and his squad - but the outgoing head coach expects in-form Mainz to make it difficult to get over the line.

"It's definitely a very deserved championship," he said. "We hope we can win it in Mainz, but we know that they are in really good shape, unbeaten in six games – four wins and two draws – and against some teams who are at the top as well.

"They are a team who are aggressive in defence and very compact. When they win possession, they transition very quickly. These are the things we have to be wary of."

Bayern fought back to record a 5-2 win against Mainz in the reverse fixture, making it the first time since 1988 - and just the fourth occasion overall - that the Bavarians had come back to triumph after being at least two goals down at half-time in the league.

Cuisance has been linked with Leeds United, having started only three games in the Bundesliga since joining from Borussia Monchengladbach last year.

Martinez, 32, has been tipped to move back to Athletic Bilbao following eight hugely successful years in Germany.

However, head coach Flick appears happy to keep both players in his plans in order to give Bayern the best chance possible of competing on all fronts again this season.

They have brought in Alexander Nubel, teenager Tanguy Nianzou and Germany star Leroy Sane in the transfer window, but the latter will be out until after the next international break with a knee injury.

With David Alaba also struggling and the fixture list piling up – Bayern face Borussia Dortmund in the DFL-Supercup on Wednesday and Hertha Berlin in the league on Sunday – Flick wants as many options as possible.

"We last saw each other yesterday. We have no new information since Thursday. As long as he's in my team, I'll plan with him as well. Javi has done a lot for the club," he told reporters of Martinez on Tuesday.

"Both [Cuisance and Martinez] trained today, so I assume both will be in the squad tomorrow. We all know that, shortly before the transfer window closes, the situation is not easy.

"Hasan [Salihamidzic, sporting director] and I agree: the new season will not only be difficult for Bayern. We have until October 5. For now, the fact is that Mika and Javi are still in the squad. They are part of our team.

"One thing is also clear: we want to win trophies and games. The fact we lost to Hoffenheim is very far from my thoughts. But if we want to achieve objectives, we have to have a squad available.

"On October 15, we play in the DFB-Pokal; on October 17, we play in the Bundesliga. Before that, there are international matches. I didn't create those dates – you have to think about whether that makes sense."

Joachim Low will end his tenure in charge of Die Mannschaft after the Euro 2020 finals, opting to leave rather than see his contract through to the 2022 World Cup.

Flick is seemingly set to return to the Germany fold, having previously served as Low’s assistant between 2006 and 2014, a span that included being crowned world champions in Brazil.

"It is clear that I spoke to the DFB. Things always have to be regulated. It's about little things," Flick told the media on Friday ahead of his final game in charge of Bayern.

"When the time comes, things can be announced quickly."

A short but hugely successful spell at Bayern will conclude when the Bundesliga champions host Augsburg on Saturday.

Promoted from assistant coach midway through the 2019-20 season following the departure of Niko Kovac, Flick led the club to a famous treble last term, securing Champions League in Lisbon to follow on from domestic success in the league and DFB-Pokal.

"I just enjoyed the journey that I started almost two years ago," Flick said of his spell in charge.

"At that time, I knew that I wanted to be a coach again. The fact that I got the chance with Niko Kovac was great. I am happy about the journey and how it is now coming to an end.

"We were able to accompany such a great team on an intensive and successful path. But I am also looking forward to what is to come. Life is like a river, it goes on and on.

"To train such a team is something very special. I really liked the greed to win and to score. It was a great time that is now coming to an end."

Flick pinpointed the Champions League final win over Paris Saint-Germain as the highlight of his reign, while made clear he will continue to follow Bayern's progress as a lifelong supporter.

"I don't want to evaluate the development of the club," he added. "Everything is in a state of flux and that's a good thing. Positions are filled again and again, players come and go. That's normal.

"I was a Bayern fan as a child and will continue to be. This is a club that has always been close to my heart and I will continue to cheer.

"I also spoke to every single player again. That was great and I will continue to follow your path. We were so close, that can't be brushed away. For that I am very grateful."

Thiago is contracted until the end of 2020-21 but the Spain international is reportedly on the verge of leaving for Premier League champions Liverpool as Bayern brace for his exit.

The 29-year-old came off the bench with three minutes remaining in Bayern's 4-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Saturday's DFB-Pokal final.

However, Flick has not given up on keeping star Thiago – who arrived from Barcelona in 2013 and has since won seven successive Bundesliga crowns among other honours.

"The thing is, I always have hope. I'm actually always very positive about things," Flick told reporters following the Berlin triumph.

"I also know, of course, that when you're at a certain age and you've already played in the Spanish league with Barcelona and in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, you feel the need to experience another big league. That is quite normal and that is also human.

"I'm trying my best to make sure Thiago stays here and that you can convince him to stay. But that's one thing that time will show.

"We still have the Champions League ahead of us now and we have a lot of plans, also together with him."

Flick was also asked about Bayern's transfer plans after prising Germany international Leroy Sane from Manchester City.

Bayern have been linked to Leverkusen star Kai Havertz, who scored a late consolidation goal on Saturday.

"We all know that of course the time with coronavirus has changed a lot," Flick added. "This means that many clubs, including FC Bayern Munich, can no longer spend money so easily. That's why we have to proceed cautiously.

"For now, Leroy Sane's commitment was important for the club and also for the team, which are taking the next step. Hasan Salihamidzic did a very good job of staying on the ball. I think a lot is developing and we have to see that we are a bit more broadly based."

Timo Werner and Leroy Sane sealed a routine 2-0 win over Liechtenstein in World Cup qualifying Group J on Thursday, though the scoreline hardly reflected Germany's dominance.

After a trophy laden spell at Bayern, Flick left the Bavarian giants to take over as Germany boss, with Joachim Low leaving after Euro 2020.

Flick's team had 30 attempts in total, with seven hitting the target, and controlled 85.3 per cent of the possession.

Not one Liechtenstein player spent more time in Germany's half than their own, while all of the visitors' outfielders had average positions within the minnows' territory.

It nevertheless took some inspiration from youngster Jamal Musiala to unlock the door in the 41st minute, as he teed up Werner, before Sane capped an impressive individual display with a crisp finish late on.

"It took us too long to get our first goal, but it's a process," Flick told RTL. "I won't let this first game ruffle my feathers, there's a long road ahead and we will make our way down it.

"I told the team before the match that Liechtenstein know how to defend well. We created chances, but our opponent defended really well, with 11 players in their area. 

"I can't fault the team at all, they tried, they put the opponent under pressure, but in the end we did not take our chances enough. 

"But I'm positive, we won, and on Sunday we continue against Armenia. We have a long way to go, this was the start and we know where we want to go."

As well as handing Musiala – who he coached at Bayern – a first international start, Flick also introduced teenager Florian Wirtz for his Germany debut, the Bayer Leverkusen midfielder becoming the third-youngest player to appear for the national team since 1945.

While Flick blooded fresh faces, including full-back Ridle Baku, he also turned to the experienced Marco Reus, with Borussia Dortmund's captain recalled after opting out of Euro 2020.   "Our opponents were more or less parked in front of their own goal, so it was very hard to get through," said Reus, who came on as a second-half substitute.   "Our final pass wasn't quite there today, but we can take the three points and go again on Sunday."   Flick's second game in charge sees Germany host Group J leaders Armenia in Stuttgart.

Germany beat Costa Rica 4-2 on Thursday, but the victory at Al Bayt Stadium was not enough for them to progress from Group E due to Japan's shock win over Spain.

A topsy-turvy second half saw Germany, who had gone ahead through Serge Gnabry's early goal, fall behind before Kai Havertz grabbed a double and Niclas Fullkrug completed the scoring.

Germany finished third, condemned to a second straight group-stage exit from the World Cup, after they had progressed from the first round in each of their 16 previous such appearances at the tournament.

With Euro 2024, which Germany are hosting, on the horizon, Flick believes wholesale alterations are needed to the way football is coached in the country, with a back-to-basics approach required.

"We do have players who play at top clubs, we do have the qualities," Flick said in a press conference.

"I believe that for the future of German football we need to do things differently in training. For years we talk about new goalkeepers or new wing-backs, but what was always very good in German football was that we were able to defend well.

"We need the basics. Even though Spain lost against Japan, they are very good in defence and they focus on training the youngsters to those tactics.

"For the future, even for the next 10 years, this is vital."

Musiala's performance throughout the tournament has been one bright spot to come from Germany's disappointing campaign.

The Bayern Munich youngster was superb against Costa Rica. He had eight shots, two of which hit the post while two forced Keylor Navas into smart stops. His 24 touches in the opposition box was the most recorded in a World Cup game since such records began in 1966.

Musiala represented England at youth level and came through Chelsea's academy, and when asked by Stats Perform if the 19-year-old was a player to build around heading towards Euro 2024, Flick suggested the playmaker's upbringing helped prove his point about the weaknesses in Germany's approach.

"Jamal, what he showed today, it's so unfortunate that such a player cannot continue in the tournament," Flick said.

"He's fantastic, his skills in the tackles, the one-v-ones, he's outstanding. We do have talents, it has to be said, we are headed in the right direction, but we have to focus on the training.

"Jamal has been trained in England, not in Germany. We have Kai [Havertz], and he was able to really bring his A game."

Flick feels Germany's future can be bright, though.

He added: "We can get up quickly and recover. We will see what the future looks like. See how we can implement our idea.

"We need to assess our work here, head in a different direction. This is the next step. We will do that very soon.

"I am a very critical person and we will assess everything."

Low will step down as Germany boss after this year's European Championships after the German Football Association (DFB) agreed to his request to leave the position early.

His contract originally ran to the 2022 World Cup but Low will instead depart after the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament which starts in June this year.

The 61-year-old has been at the helm since 2006 when he replaced Jurgen Klinsmann and guided his country to World Cup success in 2014.

Speaking at a media conference on Wednesday ahead of World Cup qualifiers with Iceland, Romania and North Macedonia, Low quashed talk of a job in Spanish football.

"I was thinking about it a little while ago. But this hasn't anything to do with a club," Low said.

"You could use Spanish in the whole world. In South America, Europe and the USA you could always use it. After English, it is a very important language. 

"I like the language and wanted to learn it at some point. Maybe I will have the chance to deepen that in the future. But that hasn't anything to do with a Spanish club, it is a useful language to know, though."

Low has taken charge of 189 games for Germany and overseen 120 wins, 38 draws and 31 defeats with a win percentage of 63.49.

The build-up to the Thursday's clash with Iceland in Duisburg has been dominated by talk of who will succeed Low, but midfielder Emre Can insisted the players have not been distracted.

"I think for us players it's almost irrelevant. It's more a topic for the media," Can said.

"Football players are always under pressure when we play for the national team and participate at tournaments. It doesn't matter if there is debate around the coach or not. 

"The coach has made his decision and for sure he is highly motivated for the European Championships, obviously we want to play a successful European Championships for his farewell."

Hansi Flick, who won a remarkable sextuple in his first year as Bayern Munich's head coach, has been mooted as the DFB's preferred successor to Low.

The 56-year-old was Low's assistant coach for almost eight years, from August 2006 to July 2014, leaving his role after Germany's World Cup triumph.

Bayern have been the form side in Europe in Flick's time in charge, and despite a shock exit in the DFB-Pokal earlier this season, are still well in the hunt for a Bundesliga and Champions League double.

However, Bayern and Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich does not expect his club boss to instead become his national team manager.

"Hansi Flick has a contract and we are incredibly successful here," Kimmich told Bild. "That's why I do not assume that he will."

The 2014 world champions are searching for a new coach to succeed Joachim Low, who will leave his role after the Euro 2020 finals later this year.

Flick, Low's former assistant, was predictably mooted as a potential replacement having enjoyed great success as Bayern boss.

The Bavarian giants won the treble last season and have already added the Club World Cup title in 2020-21, while defences of their Bundesliga and Champions League crowns remain on track.

Flick, who turned Bayern's fortunes around, is under contract until 2023, although club CEO Rummenigge will depart at the end of the year.

That will not spell the end of Flick's tenure, though, Rummenigge insisted last week, saying: "We are well advised to finish what we have agreed in the contract."

But this does not clash with Germany's plans either, as Bierhoff says the new man will not be poached from another job. Ralf Rangnick, who turned down a role at Schalke, has been linked.

"Nothing has changed for us," the team director said on Monday. "We always said we won't approach a coach who is currently under contract.

"I interpreted it in the way that [Rummenigge] wanted to back Hansi Flick and he did. That is the right thing to do as CEO of a club."

Bierhoff was facing the media at the start of the first international break of 2021, with the clock now ticking on Germany's recruitment process.

"We don't have limitless time, but we are not under pressure either," he said. "We have to appoint a new coach for the time after the Euros. We are going to take our time.

"The DFB delegation will be in the team hotel in the coming days. President Fritz Keller, Peter Peters, Rainer Koch and Friedrich Curtius will be there and we will discuss the situation.

"Obviously we will analyse, discuss and have long talks, and then we'll see."

Germany led 2-0 after a 52nd minute penalty from Ilkay Gundogan and a goal from Kai Havertz in the 67th, but that advantage was wiped out in just over 15 minutes.

Luke Shaw struck in the 72nd, Mason Mount equalised three minutes later, and a penalty to Harry Kane put the English up 3-2 in the 83rd.

Ultimately, an 87th-minute leveller from Havertz saw the two sides share the points, and it gave Flick some mixed emotions.

"The first half was balanced, in the second we deservedly led 2-0 – then we made individual mistakes," he said. "It must not happen that we give up a lead like that. 

"But we came back, that's the positive. It was a good test, we take a lot of positive things with us, but also negative things. There's some work for us to do, but we're optimistic, otherwise we could stay at home."

Midfielder Joshua Kimmich provided a little more insight into exactly what went wrong to allow such a rapid collapse.

"We had everything under control and deservedly led 2-0 – then we became far too passive," he said. "No longer pushing through consistently, defending far too deep, no longer having the courage to play against the ball… but in terms of body language and engagement, it was an improvement.

"Everyone now has six weeks to get a good feeling and then we will attack."

After scoring two goals, Havertz said to only get a draw from a match like that "must of course worry you" but suggested that it "was another good game to learn from".

Meanwhile, Gundogan was not afraid to talk about Germany's lofty goals, saying they are heading to Qatar with the plan of making the final.

"It's not unrealistic," he said. "Of course, a lot has to come together. I don't see a team that is miles ahead.

"We have shown over long periods that we can do it at the highest level. We have to try to do that for 90 minutes. At a World Cup you have much less leeway to make mistakes than today."

Kingsley Coman was the hero, netting a second-half header in a game light on goalmouth action – something fairly unrepresentative of Bayern's campaign as a whole.

From Hansi Flick's masterful stewardship of the team to Robert Lewandowski's goalscoring exploits, the Bundesliga champions were a team to strike fear into Europe's elite this season.

Here, with help from Opta, we have a look at some of the impressive numbers they achieved on the way to glory.

PERFECT SIX APPEAL

6 – Bayern are now six-time European champions, equalling Liverpool's achievement from last year. Only Real Madrid (13) and AC Milan (seven) have won the tournament more frequently.

11– Going back to the start of the group stages, Bayern were victorious in all 11 of their Champions League matches in 2019-20. They are the first team to win every match on the way to glory.

8 – Eight of those matches came after Hansi Flick replaced Niko Kovac as head coach. The former Germany assistant has set a record for the most consecutive wins at the start of a Champions League career.

43 – The 43 goals scored across that winning run amounted to the second most prolific season in Champions League history, coming in behind Barcelona's 45 from 1999-00. Remarkably, it was two other Spanish teams – Real Madrid and Valencia – who contested that season's final.

34 – PSG also set a scoring record by netting in a 34th consecutive Champions League match when they defeated RB Leipzig in the semi-final. They must start again from zero next season after Manuel Neuer and his defence completed an impressive shutout.

500 – Kingsley Coman's decisive goal was Bayern's 500th in Europe's top competition, placing them behind Real Madrid (567) and Barcelona (517) in the overall scoring charts.

7 – That historic pedigree certainly seems to carry a degree of weight. PSG were the seventh consecutive first-time finalists to lose in the showpiece match.

BATTERING BARCA, RANSACKING SPURS

8-2 – Bayern's 8-2 victory against Barcelona in the quarter-final was the first time a team has scored eight goals in a knockout stage match in the Champions League.

8-2 – It was Barca's first defeat by six goals in any competition since April 1951, when they lost 6-0 to Espanyol. They last conceded eight when Sevilla scored that number without reply back in April 1946.

7-2 – Niko Kovac was still the man at the helm when Bayern thumped Tottenham 7-2 in London. It was the first time Spurs had conceded seven goals in a home match and the biggest margin of defeat for an English team at home in European competition.

KING LEWY

9 – Star striker Robert Lewandowski scored in nine consecutive Champions League matches leading up to the final. Only Cristiano Ronaldo has a longer run, with 11 goalscoring outings between 2017 and 2018.

15 – Lewandowski is the second player to score 15 goals in a Champions League season, with Ronaldo having done so three times.

4 – The Poland international is not the only man to have produced an impressive weight of goals. Serge Gnabry scored nine overall and he became the second German player to score four goals in a single Champions League match during the thrashing of Tottenham. Mario Gomez did likewise in Bayern colours against Basel in March 2012.

28 – The supply line is also crucial for such attacking talents and no player created more Champions League chances than the 28 laid on by Joshua Kimmich in 2019-20 – none more valuable than his sumptuous cross for Coman on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola said this week Sane has made it clear he will not extend his contract and will move to a new club either this year or after his deal expires in 2021.

Bayern have long been considered the favourites to sign the Germany international, although the impact of the coronavirus crisis is likely to make significant transfer spending difficult this year.

Speaking after their 3-1 Bundesliga win over Freiburg, Flick had no interest in discussing any players who may or may not move to the Allianz Arena.

"I don't want to say anything on that topic," he said. "I am here to talk about our performance today.

"I don't want to talk about the future or players that could come or leave us. We still have things we want to achieve this season. We've won the league, now the next step will be the DFB-Pokal.

"After that, there will be one big goal left [the Champions League], which we will have to work really hard for and try to get as far as we can."

Bayern secured a club-record 15th consecutive win thanks to Robert Lewandowski's double and a Joshua Kimmich goal on Saturday.

The newly crowned Bundesliga champions conclude the league season against Wolfsburg next Saturday before they face Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal final on July 4.

They resume Champions League duties in August with a 3-0 aggregate advantage over Chelsea in the last 16 ahead of the second leg.

Sane has had a tough time since joining Bayern from Manchester City for an initial €49million in July, being restricted to just five Bundesliga starts.

He was once again named on the bench for Saturday's trip to the BayArena but was introduced just after the half-hour mark for the injured Kingsley Coman.

However, the Germany international lasted only 36 minutes on the field before being taken off for Jamal Musiala with the game poised at 1-1 and Bayern chasing a goal.

Sane cut a frustrated figure as he made his way back to the bench but head coach Hansi Flick felt he had no other choice but to make the tough call.

"It wasn't a punishment," he said at his post-match news conference. "I had to make a sub, and the options were either Thomas Muller, Serge Gnabry or Leroy.

"Thomas is indispensable for our system, Serge really got into the game in the second half. So I had to sub Leroy off.

"Ultimately, it's about the success of the team above the individuals. We support Leroy in every way possible."

Sane lost possession nine times, completed 15 of his 19 passes (78.9 per cent) and conceded two fouls, which was more than any other Bayern player.

But Muller, who by comparison was successful with 38 of his 52 passes (73.1 per cent) and lost possession a joint team-high 20 times, leapt to his team-mate's defence.

"Hansi must have had his reasons," said Muller of Sane's withdrawal.

"Personally, I really enjoy playing with Leroy and I think we had more offensive moves down the right when he came on.

"I don't think it will be that long until we start talking about Leroy in a different way. He is very close to breaking through.

"He shouldn't get frustrated by this but motivated. It doesn't make it any easier that we're struggling a little as a team at the moment."

Sane creates an average of 0.7 big chances per 90 minutes he plays in the Bundesliga this season, which is bettered only by Coman (1.07) among Bayern players to have featured at least six times.

Only Douglas Costa (2.97) and Musiala (3.71) have completed more dribbles per 90 minutes than Sane's 2.45, meanwhile, and sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic is happy with the ex-City attacker's displays since recovering from a long-term lay-off.

"The guy is really a top player, he was injured for a long time," he said. "He also wants more from himself.

"The team will help him. I'm sure and I totally believe in him. He has qualities that he will hopefully show us in the first game of the new year."

Lewandowski scored twice against Leverkusen, including a 93rd-minute winner, after Patrik Schick had given the home side the lead.

The Poland international, whose 17 goals after 13 Bundesliga matchdays is a joint-record alongside Gerd Muller, also predicted a brighter future for Sane.

"He needs a bit of time," Lewandowski said. "Next year I'm sure he'll show his quality. I'll keep my fingers crossed for him - he's a great guy.

"He knows himself that he can benefit from a short break and we will need him going forward."

Leaders Bayern have trailed 1-0 in each of their past seven Bundesliga games - their longest ever such run - but will take a two-point lead into the mid-season break following their latest fightback.

Although the title was already secured, Hansi Flick's side were ruthless at the Allianz Arena as Robert Lewandowski scored twice and set up Joshua Kimmich for another goal.

It was a dominant display from Bayern despite them having made changes to their regular line-up and meant they claimed a club-record 15th-straight win in all competitions.

Lewandowski's goals also moved him on to 33 for the league season, setting a new best for a non-German player in Bundesliga history.

Muller was frustrated not to have scored himself but was proud of the way they kept up their winning momentum.

"We wanted to be greedy," he said. "All teams have ambitious goals before matches. We're doing a very good job at the moment. It's down to our inner motivation that entitles us to play for Bayern and enables us to push ourselves to our limits week in, week out.

"We're expected to achieve nothing but success. We've dedicated ourselves to that. We showed superb energy today. It's a shame we didn't score in the second half. I should have added my name to the scoresheet at least once."

Kimmich wants them to maintain their winning run to boost their chances of a treble, with the DFB-Pokal final against Bayer Leverkusen to come and the Champions League set to return in August.

"You saw we're hungry and greedy, that we wanted to win the match even though we've already won the title," he said. "We want fair competition, we want to keep up our rhythm, even if nothing's at stake anymore.

"It's a special kind of mentality. A lot of work has gone into it. We don't only push ourselves on matchdays; it begins in training, in our preparations.

"We still have ambitious goals this season. We absolutely want to win the cup final and go on the attack in the Champions League and use our momentum. We didn't always dominate because of individual quality. It was often down to our mentality, fighting and will to win."

Head coach Flick is also keen to keep Bayern's momentum going, adding: "We wanted to be in control, create chances and put our opponents under pressure. It's just the way we play.

"I'm really pleased with it. But the players share the goals around, which is why it's working so well at the moment. It's important to keep up our rhythm after winning the title. We want to use our matches for that. It worked out very well today, and we want to build on it again away to Wolfsburg."

Muller gave Bayern the opening goal with a penalty before Serge Gnabry made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time with a fine effort that ultimately proved to be the winner.

Cologne pulled one back late on as they enjoyed some pressure of their own, but Bayern – who rested talismanic striker Robert Lewandowski – did just enough to take the points.

Neither Muller nor Flick were impressed, however, with the former particularly vocal after the match.

"It was a laboured victory, especially because we unfortunately missed the chance to score the third goal at the beginning of the second half," Muller said.

"Then anything could have happened until the final whistle. It wasn't a glitzy or glamorous performance. We'll take it as it is.

"We certainly too often lost the ball carelessly and acted a bit too casually during the game. Cologne lay deep a lot. They did that well.

"Nevertheless, we could have been a bit more clinical in a couple of situations and got at goal more. The passion was there to take the victory with us. I'm not criticising ourselves, but we've definitely been better."

Flick added: "It was a deserved win in the end, but we made life difficult for ourselves. The game cost us too much energy. I'm happy with the result, not so much with the game.

"I'm satisfied with the attitude, mentality and the will to win. We made life difficult for ourselves with our mistakes in the passing game.

"We could have made the win easier. We let Cologne get back into the game."

Despite the underwhelming performance, Bayern have now won 31 of their previous 32 games in all competitions, only failing to do so on the second matchday of the 2020-21 Bundesliga campaign at Hoffenheim when they lost 4-1.

Similarly, the two goals in Cologne took Bayern to 24 in the Bundesliga this term, a record after six matches in the competition.

The Bayern Munich attacker is the highest-capped player in the squad, moving clear of Jurgen Klinsmann as the sixth-most capped player in Germany's history with his 109th appearance last time out against Liechtenstein, scoring twice in the 9-0 win.

Muller has worn the armband for Germany on a handful of occasions previously, but this would be the first time under new boss Flick, who believes the 32-year-old's presence on and off the field make him fully deserving of the honour.

"Thomas isn't someone to push himself into the spotlight; he prefers to support the team and fire the lads up," Flick said ahead of the game against Armenia. "He is also incredibly important off the pitch because he pushes the group again and again.

"He's a really important player for us, and he'll captain the side against Armenia. I'm happy to have him as a player because he's very, very valuable."

Regular captain Manuel Neuer is rested and therefore does not travel with the squad, missing out alongside Marco Reus, injured pair Leon Goretzka and Julian Draxler and the suspended Antonio Rudiger.

As a result, Muller is given the chance to captain the side, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen has the opportunity to feature between the sticks as Germany look to end their World Cup qualifying campaign strongly, having won eight of their nine games so far to sit nine points clear at the top of Group J.

"Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Kai Havertz will both start the match," Flick continued. "We have already shown in the last few games what quality and mentality the team has.

"Armenia are very strong on the counter-attack, so we'll need to be very alert in defence. Our aim is to end this year with a win, of course."

Defender Christian Gunter is also relishing the chance to stake his claim for a spot in Flick's final World Cup squad next year. 

"For me, it's about putting in a good performance for the team," Gunter said. "I'm part of a real competition for places and I want to give Hansi a tough decision when he comes to name his national team squad."

Musiala, who was born in Stuttgart but moved to England at a young age, came through the ranks at Chelsea before switching to Bundesliga giants Bayern in 2019.

The 17-year-old has represented both Germany and England at youth level, and in November made his debut for the Three Lions' Under-21 side, subsequently scoring in his second appearance.

After making his Bundesliga debut in June last year, Musiala has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Bayern this term, scoring three goals from 14 league appearances, making two starts, while he has also played three times in the Champions League, as well as featuring in the DFB-Pokal and the DFL Supercup.

He has averaged a goal every 126 minutes in the Bundesliga, though has only created one chance so far.

Reports emerged this week suggesting Germany will hand Musiala a first senior cap in the upcoming March internationals, with Joachim Low's side taking on Iceland, Romania and North Macedonia in World Cup 2022 qualifying.

The reports were confirmed by Flick ahead of Bayern's home game with Hoffenheim, and he will offer his advice to the teenager if needed.

"We haven't been talking about it yet. I only found out about today, that Jamal will be invited to the national team in March," Flick told a news conference.

"Overall, I always am happy to see young talents that also play in Germany. Until now, the DFB always handled these situations similarly and let the player choose whether he'd like to join or not.

"Where he feels more comfortable, that is a decision that he'll take on his own and with his family. He will have to deal with that by himself.

"Therefore, if he has any questions, he knows he can always talk to me about it. So you have to respect his decision either way."

One Bayern youngster who has not had such a strong season is Joshua Zirkzee, with the 19-year-old reportedly set to join Serie A club Parma on loan with an option to buy, while Premier League side Everton havie also been linked.

Flick, though, suggested a potential move was not as far along as has been suggested.

"I can only read about it. Joshua was training with us today and I believe that he will still train with us after the deadline day," Flick added. 

"In all openness, there is nothing to be declared.'

Zirkzee has managed just one start in the league this season, playing 92 minutes in total across three appearances, and has not added to his tally of four Bayern goals, which he scored last season.

RB Leipzig head coach Nagelsmann was speaking a day after Hansi Flick announced he was set to leave Bayern at the end of the season.

Flick has been strongly tipped to take over as Germany national team coach with current boss Joachim Low stepping down after the rescheduled Euro 2020 tournament.

Nagelsmann is among the leading contenders to succeed Flick at the Allianz Arena with former Bayern and Germany international Lothar Matthaus indicating he was a shoo-in for the job.

The 33-year-old has won 52, drawn 21 and lost 15 of his 88 matches in charge of Leipzig with a win percentage of 59.09.

But he has again stressed no discussions between himself and Bayern have taken place.

"There is simply nothing I can report," Nagelsmann told a media conference on Sunday ahead of Leipzig's Bundesliga clash with Cologne.

"I think it's totally wrong to then sit down and say what if, and maybe get yourself talked about somewhere and make yourself important on things that aren't there.

"I can't sit down and say, I'm going to break up with Lena Gercke [German model] tomorrow, because I've never dated her, for example.

"I'm sorry to say that there are no new developments compared to the last press conference. The same things apply that I said there.

"There are and were no discussions and no offer. That's why I don't know what Bayern's wish is. I have said I don't want to start a war with my employers - that's still the case."

Hansi Flick has been hugely successful since taking charge at Bayern, but a strained relationship with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has led to speculation over his future beyond the current campaign.

Amid links to the upcoming vacancy with the Germany national team, Flick cryptically said after the Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday: "I have a contract with Bayern but you always have thoughts about how the future looks and if everything is working wonderfully here."

Lothar Matthaus claimed while working for Sky Deutschland's coverage of the Champions League second leg that Bayern had already "talked a bit" to Nagelsmann about taking over, should Flick leave his current post.

However, speaking to the media on Wednesday, the Leipzig boss denied having held any such conversations with the reigning Bundesliga champions.

"There were and are no talks with Bayern. I have no idea where Lothar got this information from. This of course also applies to my advisors, there were also no talks," Nagelsmann said.

"I have not spoken to the club because there will be nothing to discuss. I still have a contract with RB until 2023."

Nagelsmann was speaking to preview second-placed Leipzig’s home game against his former employers Hoffenheim on Friday.

The game offers the hosts a chance to increase the pressure on table-topping Bayern in the title race; the gap stands at five points with six games to play in the season.

"We still need eight points for this to be the most successful season in the club’s history," Nagelsmann said ahead of the run-in.

"We have to win our games – it is that simple. We are focusing only on ourselves in order to get as many points as we can. Then we will see whether Bayern stumble or not. Normally, it wouldn't happen.

"If we finish in second then it was still an outstanding season. 

"We still have room to develop as a team and we have had a really consistent season even though we have so many young players in our ranks. We have been good, you've seen that already. If we can now go from good to great then we would be more than happy."

Juventus forward Ronaldo picked up the award in person at a ceremony held at the Armani Hotel on Sunday. 

The 35-year-old, who has won domestic league titles in Spain, England and Italy and Euro 2016 with Portugal, admitted his pride at receiving the accolade, given to the player judged the best between 2001 and 2020. 

"It's a pleasure to win titles," said Ronaldo, a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, at the event. 

"It's not easy to be top of the game for so many years. I am really proud, but without a team, great coaches and clubs it is not possible." 

Guardiola was honoured for a managerial career which has seen him win league championships in Spain, Germany and England, as well as the Champions League twice.

The Manchester City boss was not present at the gala, though he accepted the award via a pre-recorded video message. 

Both Ronaldo and Lionel Messi missed out on the men's player of the year award for 2020, however, as that went to Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski. 

Bayern's treble of the Bundesliga, Champions League and DFB-Pokal also saw boss Hansi Flick rewarded as coach of the year.  

Real Madrid were named the club of the century at the ceremony, while Bayern picked up the team award for 2020. 

The Globe Soccer Awards, founded in 2010, acknowledge excellence in football with an annual gala dinner and awards ceremony.