FCB looking forward to return of fans against Köln

FC Bayern play their first home match of the season on Sunday as 1. FC Köln visit the Allianz Arena, kicking off at 17:30 CEST (coverage on fcbayern.com with our live text commentary and free Webradio). And best of all, fans will finally be back at the stadium for a Bundesliga fixture, with around 20,000 spectators set to cheer the team on. Get the lowdown on the Matchday 2 meeting in our preview.

Check out the images from Bayern’s final training session ahead of the match against Köln:

Situation for Bayern

Julian Nagelsmann couldn’t hide his excitement for the clash with the Billy Goats in his press conference on Friday: “We’re all looking forward to the game, a home game in front of 20,000 fans.” The 34-year-old celebrated his first win as Bayern coach in midweek and with it his first trophy in the DFL-Supercup. That will give his team momentum and after the draw at Gladbach in the opener, a first win in the league is now the aim.

Bayern legend Gerd Müller will be remembered at the match following his death a week ago:

Opponents Köln

Having just escaped relegation in the play-off last season, Köln began the new campaign with a 3-1 win at home to Hertha BSC. Under new coach Steffen Baumgart, the Billy Goats impressed with fast attacking football, which they want to also show in Munich. “We want to press high,” declared a confident Baumgart. “I don’t change my style of play just because it might be David versus Goliath. We can still be solid if we go for it in attack. It’s going to be an awesome game, there’ll be lots of people watching.

Watch Julian Nagelsman’s pre-match press conference in full:

The team news

“As things stand, I’m not expecting him to play,” Nagelsmann said of Manuel Neuer on Friday, all but ruling out the FCB captain’s involvement following his ankle injury. Sven Ulreich is poised to make his second debut for the club in his place. Kingsley Coman will also miss out on Sunday. “He has bruising in his glutes,” confirmed Nagelsmann. Benjamin Pavard, Marc Roca (both ankle ligament) and Lucas Hernández (knee surgery) remain sidelined.

Köln make the trip to Bavaria without Timo Hübers (knee) and Marvin Schwäbe (hand).

What the coaches say

Julian Nagelsmann: “Köln went through the emotions in the match against Hertha and got a deserved win. They have good power, they always have lots of players in the opposition box and clear patterns. They defend very high in a lot of situations. Köln try to dictate play themselves. It won’t be an easy game. We’ll have to be at our best because Köln are in good shape.”

Steffen Baumgart (1. FC Köln coach): “Bayern always bring the will to win. They have world-class players in every position. We want to learn from games like this. I look forward to these games and to competing against such opponents. But competing also means going into the game with an idea. The boys should believe in themselves. It’s one game on our journey. We want to keep developing.”

Here are the facts and stats on the match: