Bayern aiming to 'keep the points in Munich' against Hertha

FC Bayern conclude Matchday 3 of the Bundesliga at home to Hertha BSC on Sunday evening (live text and Webradio commentary from 18:00 CEST). Our match preview has all the pertinent information for you:

The situation for Bayern

It’s been a strenuous start to the campaign for Bayern – the match against Hertha will already be their fifth competitive fixture in the space of 16 days, before they head off for the international break. Alongside three wins, the Munich men suffered a 4-1 defeat at Hoffenheim on Matchday 2 – and Hansi Flick is determined to avoid a repeat of that against the Berliners: “We don’t like losing,” said the 55-year-old in Saturday’s press conference. “Particularly after the game against Hoffenheim, it’s important we keep the three points in Munich,” he stressed.

The best pics from Bayern’s final training session on Saturday:

The opposition

Like the Reds, Hertha also lost last weekend after a winning start in the Bundesliga (4-1 at Werder Bremen). That has not knocked the confidence of coach Bruno Labbadia, though: “If we get chances, we want to and must take them,” said the 54-year-old, who has reason to be hopeful that his side can get something from Munich. The Old Lady have picked up points in five of their last seven league meetings with Bayern, something no other Bundesliga team can say. “Hertha have quite a good record here in Munich, so we need to be switched on from the first second,” warned Flick.

Team news

While David Alaba and Leon Goretzka have been declared fit for Sunday’s match, there’s still a question mark over Kingsley Coman’s involvement: “He had a muscle problem after the game against Dortmund and we need to wait and see if he’ll make it tomorrow,” confirmed Flick. The ‘European Coach of the Year’ will again be without injured pair Leroy Sané (knee) and Tanguy Nianzou (thigh). Michaël Cuisance will also not be involved after missing a coronavirus test, Flick revealed.

For Hertha, Arne Maier (interior ligament), Javairô Dilrosun (thigh), Matthew Leckie (neck) and Karim Rekik (thigh) are ruled out.

Team news, opposition analysis and approach: see what Hansi Flick had to say in his press conference.

What the coaches say

Hansi Flick: “Particularly after the game against Hoffenheim, it’s important we keep the three points in Munich. That’s the aim. Hertha are a good side with a lot of quality particularly in attack. They also have quite a good record here in Munich, so we need to be switched on from the first second.”

Bruno Labbadia (Hertha BSC coach): “FC Bayern will certainly rotate and name their strongest side against us. We have a clear strategy and want to implement that better than we did last time out. Obviously we’re somewhat dependent on Bayern’s performance, but if we get chances, we want to and must take them.”

A look at the key facts and stats ahead of the clash with Hertha: