Ruthless Bayern Munich Underline What Separates Them from Rest of Europe's Elite

When Thomas Muller broke through the Werder Bremen defence in the 24th minute on Saturday afternoon it took him two chances to finally open the scoring for the assumed German champions to be. 

The gangly forward attempted one of his standard shoot-while-falling moves, but it wasn't enough to surpass the forward-rushing Raphael Wolf. Then, after getting to his feet once more, the ball happened to bobble back to him only for the German international to curl a delightful left-footed shot into the top corner of the Bremen net. 

Pep Guardiola's side would go on to win four-nil that day, but the manner in which Muller responded to such a goal was all we had to take from the afternoon's action. Standing in place, arms aloft, Muller looked ecstatic as he embraced his teammates with a look of utter surprise and joy as well as a lofty scream of delight. 

In just a few brief seconds, this player who had played for the club since the age of 11 had completely characterised the ethos in his side and shown just why Bayern had a ruthlessness about them that far surpassed any opponent in Germany or indeed Europe. 

To put such a result into context, we must first jump back and take a look at some of the games Bayern have played recently. Prior to Bremen's 4-0 defeat to this Bavarian juggernaut, Shakhtar Donetsk had met a similar fate with a 7-0 thumping in the Champions League. Not so long before that Bundesliga minnows Paderborn had allowed Guardiola's side to put six past them without response, while Hamburg allowed eight. 

As we've seen in England, with the plight of Chelsea and Manchester City's hopes of a Premier League and Champions League double, as well as the shaky ground Real Madrid now find themselves on while battling on all fronts, it seems as though the Euro elite that is so often carted out to complain about competitiveness in the European sport is in fact struggling to deal with such competition. Well, all but Bayern, that is.  

Now we all know the usual retort for pointing this out: "Bayern have an unfair advantage because the Bundesliga isn't hard enough." Yet such an argument is shallow in reason and often very rarely lasts beyond the parameters of jealousy from opposing fans. 

If the Bundesliga was so much weaker than the Premier League or indeed Spain's top division wouldn't it have fewer clubs represented in the Champions League? Wouldn't the likes of Liverpool or Athletic Bilbao be taking the places of Schalke or indeed Bayer Leverkusen? 

Furthermore, wouldn't the league's strength in depth mean teams like Wolfsburg would be struggling in the Europa League and not, in fact, be producing more shots on goal than any other side in the competition (via WhoScored.com)? 

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

They would, but they're not. The Bundesliga isn't a poor example of competition, Bayern are an exceptional example of excellence, and unfortunately the German top division has struggled to keep up with them just like any other side that has crossed their path this season. 

What makes Bayern so incredibly potent and desperate for success is a ruthlessness that Guardiola has driven into the side, or at least maintained since Jupp Heynckes before him. Each player is so exceptionally hungry to score and win from one week to the next, and that shows in the manner of their recent victories. 

The Spaniard has often spoke about his disregard toward larger squads, yet at Bayern he's managed to juggle a bigger roster packed full of talent by rotating each week and in a way ensuring that nobody's ego gets beyond check. 

We hear tales of players complaining about game time at every big club, but not a word has come from Bayern's top players throughout this season. Mario Gotze, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Mehdi Benatia, Robert Lewandowski and even Muller have had to bide their time on the bench and, with that time off, build up an appetite for goals and a necessity to prove they're the best in their position. 

To suggest Guardiola is pitting each of his stars against one another would be a little condescending to the attention to detail he clearly applies to his job, but it is perhaps the best way to describe what is going on at Bayern right now. If Schweinsteiger doesn't do his job, Xabi Alonso is waiting to take his place; if Ribery isn't up to the task, Gotze is standing by; and if Jerome Boateng isn't sharp enough, Dante and Benatia wouldn't think twice about replacing him. 

It's this somewhat cold, natural selection-like approach to picking his squad that has ensured Guardiola's team either arrive at the Allianz Arena or any stadium each week with a genuine desperation to win and succeed.

You don't get second chances at Bayern, and your record at Germany's biggest club is only as good as your last goal, clean sheet or win. Guardiola knows that, and each of his players have been drilled to live by it. This is why the German champions are so ruthless, and it's what has separated them from the rest of Europe this season. 

@sbienkowski