Bayern target last home victory before handover

FC Bayern will be presented with the championship shield at the Allianz Arena after the last home match of the campaign on Sunday evening, but Julian Nagelsmann’s men aim to celebrate their last home victory in 2021/22 against VfB Stuttgart beforehand (coverage on fcbayern.com with our live text commentary and free web radio). Find out all you need to know in our preview:

Check out the best photos from the final training session here:

Situation for Bayern

Bayern wrapped up their 32nd championship title on Matchday 31. Munich top the table on 75 points, 12 points clear of Borussia Dortmund with two matches to go, despite the 3-1 defeat away to Mainz last week. “We didn’t turn in a good display away to Mainz,” said Nagelsmann, whose men want to mark the handover of the trophy with a victory over VfB. “Considering the atmosphere in the last home match and the subsequent handover, it’s nicer to conclude it with a win,” said Serge Gnabry, who will encounter his youth club.

More info on Gnabry:

The opposition

The Swabians are in for a thrilling finale. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s men are on 29 points, occupying the relegation play-off spot, two points clear of Arminia Bielefeld in 17th place. A victory at the Allianz Arena would mean the visitors avoid direct relegation. “We won’t go there to attend Munich’s championship celebrations but to write our own story,” said Matarazzo, who knows Nagelsmann from their days together at Hoffenheim.

The Bundesliga's two strongest teams in one-on-ones face off on Sunday. More facts and stats:

Player update

“I think that’s a record this year,” a smiling Julian Nagelsmann said at the pre-match press conference. The FCB coach had 24 outfield players at his disposal in Friday’s training session. The likes of Alphonso Davies and Joshua Kimmich, who were recently sick or suffering knocks, are available again, as is Thomas Müller, who extended his contract until 2024.

Stuttgart’s Konstantinos Mavropanos is expected to be available again after recovering from a knock, whereas Roberto Massimo is rated doubtful with back problems.

Watch the press conference:

What the coaches say

Julian Nagelsmann: "Stuttgart are very flexible. They can play different formations. Matarazzo has very creative ideas. Their situation in the relegation battle is difficult, they struggled with lots of injuries in decisive periods. I want to win the match even though I respect Rino as a person and as an expert. It's a match, after all. We'll give it everything and try to win the last home match in front of a full crowd."

Pellegrino Matarazzo (VfB Stuttgart coach): "Our belief in our own strength is essential. And we'll need courage, tenacity, intensity on the pitch, we must act as a team. We're preparing for a top team, Bayern surely want to celebrate the trophy handover with a victory. It'll be crucial to keep the game open for a long time and to go for the one-on-ones 100 percent."

FC Bayern will wear the new home kit for the first time against VfB. All the info: