Bayern channel Kahn ahead of Bielefeld assignment

Memories of their sixth trophy of the year are still fresh in the mind, but Bayern are already working on their next success story. Just three days after the historic triumph at the FIFA Club World Cup, Bayern are back in Bundesliga action on Monday evening (live text and Webradio commentary from 20:30 CET on fcbayern.com) as the sextuple winners welcome DSC Arminia Bielefeld to the Allianz Arena in the final fixture of Matchday 21. Our preview contains everything you need to know ahead of the clash with the promoted team.

The situation for FC Bayern

Bayern are battling through a gruelling schedule following two games at the Club World Cup in Qatar, but coach Hansi Flick wants to follow the legendary words of board member Oliver Kahn. “A famous goalkeeper once said: ‘Always keep going!’” recalled the 55-year-old at Sunday’s press conference. “If you play for Bayern, then of course the demands are going to be high. But we want to be successful and that drives everyone on. That’s how you overcome your weaker self and deliver a top performance. Against Arminia Bielefeld, we again need to display the mentality that characterises this team. That’s our job and we want to fulfil it,” continued the coach.

Those successes provide momentum, as does a look at the table. RB Leipzig cut the gap at the top to four points with their win on Friday, but Bayern can now respond and restore their seven-point advantage in their first match as club world champions.

Check out the images from Bayern’s final training session before tomorrow’s match and their first as club world champions:

The opponents: Arminia Bielefeld

In contrast to Bayern, Arminia have had a long break without a game. Their scheduled fixture against Werder Bremen on Matchday 20 had to be postponed due to the weather (new date: 10 March), meaning the Westphalians have played two games fewer than their rivals going into Monday’s meeting. Bielefeld currently occupy the relegation play-off spot, just one point from safety.

The team news for Bayern vs. Bielefeld

“We’ll have to see how we line up tomorrow – a few are missing,” confirmed Flick on Sunday. Thomas Müller (positive COVID-19 test) and Serge Gnabry (muscle tear) will be absent, along with Jérôme Boateng. There are also doubts over whether Leon Goretzka and Javi Martínez can return to the squad following their coronavirus quarantine. “Leon didn’t train today because he felt his calf a bit. I don’t think he’ll be an option for tomorrow.” Alexander Nübel and Tanguy Nianzou remain sidelined following ankle and muscle bundle injuries respectively.

“We’ll have to make some changes, but the team has the quality to overcome Bielefeld in the Bundesliga,” declared a bullish Flick. Bielefeld boss Uwe Neuhaus, on the other hand, has no injury worries and can pick from a full squad, including new signings Masaya Okugawa (Red Bull Salzburg) and Michel Vlap (Anderlecht).

Team news, tactics and more: watch Hansi Flick’s pre-match press conference in full (with English translation):

What the coaches say

Hansi Flick: “It went well for us in Doha and now we need to see to it that we maintain the distance in the table. Every matchday with that gap is a good matchday. The Bundesliga is the basis for everything that we’ve achieved, so we want to win the games.”

Uwe Neuhaus (Arminia Bielefeld): “Everyone knows that you can beat Bayern or get a point. It comes down to believing that every second. But it’s clear who the favourites are.”

For more on the home match against Arminia, read the key facts and stats: