Linke: Bayern can win treble

Bayern Munich defender Thomas Linke believes the Bavarians can win the treble

Bayern Munich star Thomas Linke has expressed satisfaction at his start to the season and has boldly stated his opinion that the Bavarian giants can win the treble this year.

The 34-year-old veteran was told during the summer that he was surplus to requirements at Bayern but, with the arrival of Felix Magath as replacement for Ottmar Hitzfeld, the defender decided to fight for his place.

Now he has firmly established himself alongside Brazilian World Cup winner Lucio in the centre of Bayern's defence, displacing such luminaries as Samuel Kufour and Robert Kovac.

"I am playing at Germany's best team - maybe Europe's best team - and I said to myself that under a new coach everybody would be forced to start from scratch, and that if I give my best in pre-season I would have a fair chance," Linke told German football magazine Kicker.

"Our managing director Uli Hoeness accepted my point of view and, after getting into the starting formation, I made the best out of my chance.''

After a turbulent start, Bayern have won six out of their last seven games - including a 4-0 thrashing of Ajax in the UEFA Champions League - and Linke is convinced that the arrival of coach Magath is bearing fruit.

"It was obvious right from the beginning that it would take some time to adapt, but after getting the right results, we have now shown some fine football and we will aim to win all three titles this season," he said.