Guardiola pays tribute to Bayern's record-makers

On 28 October 2012, FC Bayern München succumbed 2-1 at home to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Germany winger Sidney Sam snatching an unlikely victory three minutes from time.

Little did they know, however, that the result would spark a record 37-match unbeaten Bundesliga sequence, shattering Hamburger SV's 30-year-old landmark. "I was delighted to score the goal that set up this new record," enthused defender Jérôme Boateng, who broke the deadlock in Bayern's 3-0 defeat of FC Augsburg on Saturday. "I want to thank Jupp Heynckes for his achievements last season. It's been a fantastic effort by the entire team and we can be very proud of ourselves."

Further strikes from Franck Ribéry and Thomas Müller consolidated a commanding win in Munich for Josep Guardiola's men, who strode four points clear of closest pursuers Borussia Dortmund at the Bundesliga summit. Even more ominous is the fact the Bavarians have registered at least once in each of their last 48 top-flight outings and are enjoying their best start to a league season – accumulating 32 points from 12 games.

"This is amazing; it's not easy to stay undefeated for so long," said the former FC Barcelona coach, who has wasted no time in stamping his unique mark on a team that swept all before them last term. "I noticed, particularly in the second half, that every game is an opportunity to learn something new about this side. Dortmund will be a big test for us and a chance to determine what level we're at," he added, ahead of the sides' meeting on 23 November.

"We have to continue playing as we have done. We need to work hard and win more matches in order to extend the record," said France winger Ribery, who marked another virtuoso display against Augsburg with a sublime free-kick. "I was happy with the goal and it helped the team. The game in Dortmund is very important and a massive opportunity."

So what next for Bayern? Should Guardiola's charges overcome PFC CSKA Moskva on matchday five, it would be their tenth straight UEFA Champions League success and a competition record. Meanwhile, it would take someone brave to bet against them surpassing AC Milan's run of 58 consecutive league games without defeat between 1991 and 1993.