FC Bayern Munich in crisis?

Are German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich in crisis? That is the question which not only the German media, fans and experts are asking themselves after last nights disappointing 0-1 first-leg loss against Swiss side FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League. Since the winter break FC Bayern have not been themselves and the streak of bad results seems to be currently never-ending.

Juts before Christmas when the Bundesliga took its usual winter break FC Bayern Munich were top of the league ahead of Borussia Dortmund, Borussia Mönchengladbach and FC Schalke 04; still in the UEFA Champions League and the German Cup. All seemed fine though performances and results in November and December hadn't been as convincing as earlier in the season.

The team had a great mid-season training camp in Qatar and convincingly won 4-0 against India in a friendly in New Delhi. It seemed all was fine, but then came the opening day 1-3 loss in Mönchengladbach followed by draws away in Hamburg and Freiburg; suddenly FC Bayern were only third in the Bundesliga behind the Borussia's from Dortmund and Mönchengladbach.

Only in the German Cup (DFB Pokal) Bayern Munich were successful as they beat south German rivals VfB Stuttgart, but in the match lost Bastian Schweinsteiger due to another injury.

The pressure has started to build within the club then FCB has one dream for the season - to play the UEFA Champions League final on May 19 at home at the Allianz Arena. After last night that is in danger then Basel could throw out the Bavarians and suddenly coach Jupp Heynckes is in danger of losing job, just weeks after everyone said that Heynckes is the perfect coach for the club.

How things can change within a few weeks, but all is not lost and if FC Bayern can start winning matches convincingly again then things could turn out to be fine.