By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Things seem to develop positively for the reigning German Champion Bayern Munich after a goalless draw in the last-16 first leg against Premier League outfits Liverpool FC. The Bavarians are back in the race for football's most valuable trophy. But what is possible for the 2013 treble winner still competing in three competitions?
The formerly struggling team developed new greediness after it was accused to have already gambled away everything a few months ago.
The outcome of the 2018/2019 season will significantly affect the side's future including coach Niko Kovac, sports director Hasan Salihamidzic and several stars such as James Rodriguez.
The list of possible new arrivals contains prominent names such as Matthijs de Light (Ajax), Lucas Hernandez (Atletico), Luka Jovic (Eintracht Frankfurt), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig), Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea FC).
On top, Bayern seems to set sail regarding their future management. According to a recent media report, former German international Oliver Kahn could join the club as soon as 2020.
But does Bayern's current overaged squad contain enough quality to win three titles such as the national championship, the German Cup and the Champions League?
Fact is Bayern closed the gap to Bundesliga leader Borussia Dortmund from seven to only three points with 12 games remaining. Having survived in Liverpool means to have a realistic chance to proceed to the last-8 round with the second leg to be played on March 13. In the German Cup, the second division side of FC Heidenheim shouldn't be a problem in a last-8 duel in the Munich arena.
In a survey, 19 percent of fans believe Bayern is strong enough to win the treble. 50 percent expect the team just to win the national title and the Cup. 12 percent say the season will end without any trophy.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
"The door is open," Bayern's chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge commented talking about the newly gained confidence after having solved its defense difficulties in Liverpool, which stands for attacking football like no other side.
With Manchester City, Paris St. Germain and Atletico Madrid as the favorites to win the 2018/2019 Champions League title Bayern now has to take more risk to beat LFC coach Juergen Klopp.
For now, the Bavarians only managed to control their back-row performance, but still lack inspiration up front. To combine a solid defense play with convincing attacks seems to be the next challenge for coach Kovac.
Most pundits expect the last-8 round as the most Bayern can achieve this season. Others say Bayern can develop to a "team for special moments" (Sueddeutsche Zeitung) and be this season's surprise in the Champions League.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Hopes return after rival Dortmund is hit by a crisis not having won one of its last five games. Bayern managed to get close enough to talk about the title. The common goal to get past Borussia is unfolding new energy.
Kovac admitted Dortmund's crisis is encouraging his team: "It gave us new confidence to see Dortmund draw last Monday in Nuremberg. If we continue to play like in Liverpool, we can't be stopped in the Bundesliga."
Bayern is facing Dortmund in a league duel on April 6.
GERMAN CUP
Bayern is the favorite with only the Bundesliga clubs Augsburg, Leipzig, Schalke and Bremen remaining among the last eight. The German Cup seems the most natural title to win for Bayern.
