Bayern’s Guardiola demands patience

BERLIN. Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action hosting Mainz 05 on Saturday with coach Pep Guardiola having warned his stars to accept his future decisions in the hunt for silverware.Having gone 33 Bundesliga games unbeaten, Bayern are closing in on Hamburg’s league record of 36, set in January 1983, but Guardiola has told his squad to tow the line.With Bayern leading the Bundesliga by a point and players returning from injury, competition is set to increase, but the Spanish coach is demanding patience.“We will only fight for the (league) title at the end of the season if every player accepts my decisions – otherwise we will have problems,” he told Bayern’s magazine.“I support those who accept them, but those who don’t want to understand them will often find themselves sitting in the stands.”Traditionally a strong mid-table side, Mainz have had an erratic start to the season, winning their first three league games then losing their next four before drawing with Hoffenheim a fortnight ago.Champions League side Bayer Leverkusen, who were due to travel to mid-table Hoffenheim Friday night, had the chance to go top of the German league.With just a point separating the top three, second-placed Borussia Dortmund host fifth-placed Hanover 96 boosted by their injury worries having been eased by the international break.With Dortmund away to Arsenal on Tuesday in the Champions League, Klopp needs a moral-boosting win over Hanover.