Bayern’s target for Frankfurt: ‘Maintain six-point lead’

FC Bayern are away to Eintracht Frankfurt in the top game on matchday 24 on Saturday night (from 18:30 CET, live coverage with our text commentary and free web radio on fcbayern.com). Following the 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture early in the season, the team under coach Julian Nagelsmann have a score to settle with the team from Hessen. Here's all you need to know in our preview:

See the best photos from the final pre-match training session ahead of the game in Frankfurt:

Situation for FC Bayern

The 4-1 victory over bottom of the table Greuther Fürth saw Bayern do their job and maintain the cushion to second-placed Borussia Dortmund: "We are happy with the six-point lead but we did have the chance to make it more. We definitely want to avoid it growing smaller," demanded coach Nagelsmann at the press conference on Friday ahead of departure to Frankfurt. After the reverse fixture against Eintracht, the 34-year-old coach sounded a warning ahead of this weekend's game: "They are extra motivated like every other team against Bayern. Their ambition is a bit bigger. Playing against Bayern is something special, a special moment to show what you can do," warned Nagelsmann but he did point out that the stats favour the Reds: The last time Frankfurt did the double in a Bundesliga season against the record champions was 45 years ago.

Here are the key statements from Julian Nagelsmann's press conference:

Opposition Eintracht Frankfurt

2022 has not been a happy year on the pitch for Eintracht so far. With just four points from the first six games, the team in the Europa League Round of 16 have lost touch with the European qualification spots. "We know the last few games were not brilliant," admitted the Eintracht coach Oliver Glasner who took us players to task: "We can only improve on that if we look forward together and continue on our path." The team from Hessen are currently tenth in the table but the 47-year-old coach is hoping for a result against the record champions to be able to move up the table: "If we want to win against FC Bayern then a lot of things have to go right. Bayern create three or four chances per game against any side. So you need a goalkeeper who can save an unstoppable shot. We will try to use the offensive approach of our opponents to our own benefit in attack."

Fixtures with Frankfurt have produced one or two memorable Bundesliga matches – a review:

Player update

Corentin Tolisso missed the game against Fürth due to a muscle injury. Manuel Neuer (after knee operation) and Leon Goretzka (rehab training after a knee problem) are continuing their rehab programme and are sidelined on Saturday as is Alphonso Davies (myocarditis). Thomas Müller has recovered from a Covid-19 infection according to Nagelsmann but is not available for the weekend. Jamal Musiala, according to the FCB coach, is "candidate number one in the position to replace Thomas." However, due to a lack of training it remains to be seen how long the youngster will last on his nineteenth birthday.

Here is the latest team news:

Eintracht Frankfurt will have to manage without the injured Ragnar Ache (thigh) and Sebastian Rode (stomach and ribs) plus the suspended Kristijan Jakić. There is also a question mark over Daichi Kamada after he received a blow to the knee. According to Glasner, "we hope to get him fit for Saturday but the chances of that are relatively small."

What the coaches say

Julian Nagelsmann: "Frankfurt are a team who have clear structure and a coach who has an idea of how to defend and how to get round the defensive team like ours. In relation to the fans, who will provide a healthy aggressive atmosphere at the stadium, they have good physicality and tenacity. It will be a challenge where we can test ourselves. We want to try and maintain the six-point lead in the table."

Oliver Glasner (Eintracht Frankfurt): "The meeting earlier in the season was anything but easy. We had an outstanding Kevin Trapp (goalkeeper, ed.) and were very efficient up front. Games like that are perhaps sometimes even easier for the mind as everybody knows: If you don't produce an absolute top performance against Bayern then you will lose the game."

Facts and stats on the game in Frankfurt: