The defending champions are just a point behind RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga table after trouncing Schalke, leaving the head coach delighted
Defending champions Bayern won 5-0 at home to move within a point of Leipzig, who were beaten 2-0 in Eintracht Frankfurt.
Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller, Leon Goretzka, Thiago Alcantara and Serge Gnabry were on target as Bayern strolled to a fifth consecutive win in the German top-flight.
Head coach Flick was thrilled with how his side disrupted Schalke, a side also on the fringes of the title picture in the fifth spot.
“That was very good,” Flick said. “Schalke were really impressive from the first game [of 2020] against Gladbach. But we play at home and wanted to play our game, our doctrine.
“We wanted to disrupt the competition early, put pressure on them early with a high intensity. We did this quite well, particularly in the first half.
“It was crucial that we got the three points. This must give us more confidence. The quality in the squad is excellent, and if I could then lift them as I did here, I am quite satisfied.
“It was, obviously, a very successful day for us.
“we would like to play beautiful and successful football. We are doing that right now. Let us just see that it proceeds.”
Muller, who scored his 100th goal at Allianz Arena, suggested Bayern were motivated by Leipzig’s defeat.
“Following the Leipzig result, we might have had a bit more,” he said. “Usually, there is only 100 percent – now there was perhaps two or three percent on top.
“Like against Dortmund [a 4-0 home win in November], we didn’t want to give Schalke space. We’re extremely happy with the game. We played well as a team.”
Meanwhile, Goretzka praised coach Flick for his impact since replacing Niko Kovac at the helm of the Bavarian side in November.
“In a few weeks, Hansi Flick has created a climate where everyone feels comfortable,” the former Schalke star said.
“He gives us a strategic plan in every game we are working on. I think it’s important to see development and to secure better in every match.”
