Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn inisted on Sunday his side's record 4-0 win over Werder Bremen sent out a clear message to the Bundesliga.
MUNICH: Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn inisted on Sunday his side's record 4-0 win over Werder Bremen sent out a clear message to the Bundesliga - the German giants are the team to beat.
Bayern's French midfielder Franck Ribery was the star of Saturday's show as he masterminded his side's attack and opened the scoring when he slotted home a 31st minute penalty.
Italian World Cup winner Luca Toni extended the lead with an expert strike before second-half subsitutes Hamit Altintop and Andreas Ottl scored to add to Bremen's misery as their make-shift side was put to the sword.
"I said beforehand that if we won in Bremen it would send out an unmistakeable signal. It's an important result," Bayern's skipper Kahn boasted as his side top the Bundesliga having scored seven goals without reply this season.
"It was a very good display from us, we played very well in defence and in attack.
"It's a real pleasure watching Ribery at times, but it's just as important that we kept it tight at the back.
"I've always said that if we play well in defence, we'll not only play good football, we'll win trophies."
But the win - Bayern's highest score at Bremen's Weser Stadium - came at a price as German striker Miroslav Klose, the top scorer at last year's World Cup, picked up a knee injury after he was scythed down in the third minute.
Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld says there is a long way to go this season, although Bayern look determined to be crowned German champions for the 21st time.
"We didn't really settle in the first half hour, and Bremen matched us all the way," said Hitzfeld.
"We needed a solo effort from Luca Toni to earn us the penalty that gave us the lead.
"The important thing for me was our good defensive organisation.
"But there's a long way to go yet this season, a lot can still happen.
"You can be very unlucky with injuries. There are still plenty of question marks."
Bayern will be looking to make it three wins from three games when they face Hanover at the Allianz Arena next Saturday.
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