Bayern equal record with nine wins in a row
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
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FC Bayern München posted a ninth straight UEFA Champions League victory at FC Viktoria Plzeň on Tuesday, equalling the record set by FC Barcelona in 2002/03.
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With their 1-0 Group D success at FC Viktoria Plzeň on Tuesday, FC Bayern München did not just secure qualification for the last 16, they also equalled a UEFA Champions League record for consecutive victories.
The defending champions have now won nine in a row in the competition, matching the mark set by FC Barcelona in 2002/03. While Barcelona achieved that milestone during a single season, Bayern began their run against Juventus in the quarter-finals of last term's competition, posting five wins en route to lifting the trophy at Wembley in May and adding four more victories in Group D this campaign.
Over the course of their nine triumphs since losing 2-0 at home to Arsenal FC in March, the German title holders have scored 25 goals and conceded just two. They will establish a new record outright if they win away to PFC CSKA Moskva on matchday five.
Coach Josep Guardiola, in charge for the last four of Bayern's successes since taking over from Jupp Heynckes, said: "I am happy that we have equalled the record winning streak in the Champions League – any coach would be. I hope this will motivate us for our next game in Moscow, so we can add another win and break the record. I also have to say that credit for this achievement rightfully belongs to Jupp Heynckes."
The Bayern run in full is:
2-0, home v Juventus
2-0, away v Juventus
4-0, home v FC Barcelona
3-0, away v FC Barcelona
2-1, neutral v Borussia Dortmund
3-0, home v PFC CSKA Moskva
3-1, away v Manchester City FC
5-0, home v FC Viktoria Plzeň
1-0, away v FC Viktoria Plzeň
Top three winning streaks
FC Barcelona* 9 (18/09/2002 – 18/02/2003)
FC Bayern München 9 (02/04/2013 – 05/11/2013)
Borussia Dortmund 8 (04/12/1996 – 01/10/1997)
* Barcelona won 11 successive European matches during the 2002/03 campaign. The sequence commenced in the third qualifying round against Legia Warszawa before continuing into the competition proper. The streak ended when they were held 0-0 at FC Internazionale Milano in the second group stage.
