Gotze cool on Bayern Champions League hopes

By Shane Callaghan

Oct 24, 2013 7:32:00 AM

The 21-year-old is erring on the side of caution regarding the Bavarians' prospects of becoming the first team to win back-to-back Champions League titles

Mario Gotze has played down the prospect of Bayern Munich becoming the first team in the Champions League era to successfully retain their European crown.

The reigning champions coasted to a 5-0 victory over Viktoria Plzen at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday, with goals from Franck Ribery (2), David Alaba, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Gotze doing the damage.

Pep Guardiola's men recorded 70 per cent possession and 35 attempts at goal, and while the former Borussia Dortmund starlet admits to being dazzled by the statistics, he believes it is too early to "jump to conclusions" regarding their title hopes.

"There's great things at Bayern," the 21-year-old told reporters. "We had a lot of opportunities, a lot of corners and it is high praise if you look at the statistics.

"But the group stage is always different from the other rounds, so we should be wary of jumping to conclusions."

The Bavarians sit top of Group D, three points ahead of second-placed Manchester City. ---------------------- goal.com