Louis van Gaal is ready to put his money on Bayern Munich winning
the title after his side moved top of the table for the first time
this season with a 1-0 win over Hamburg.
It is the first time Bayern have topped the table in 652
days, but Van Gaal is backing them to stay there.
"Were I to have to bet now, then I would put my money on
Bayern winning the league," he told LIGA Total television.
"We have taken the first chance we have been offered to go to
the top and that is important."
A crowd of 69,000 witnessed Bayern's rise to the top of the
pile for the first time since May 2008 and they were treated to a
show both before, during and after the game as the club celebrated
its 110th anniversary at the Allianz Arena.
"First the birthday and then the league leadership - that was
a perfect weekend," said chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
"We just waited for Leverkusen to stumble and it was
psychologically important to take advantage.
"We want the title and we are now on the right path."
Franck Ribery's goal won the game in the 78th minute and Van
Gaal praised his matchwinner.
"He is a player who always wants to be decisive in games,"
said the Dutch coach.
"Players like him and (Arjen) Robben have the quality to win
games by themselves."
And Van Gaal let his team join in with the anniversary
celebrations, but admitted he would be celebrating longer than any
of them.
"I am always the one who switches the lights out at the end,"
he joked.
