FCB 'full of anticipation' for Bundesliga opener at Frankfurt

The Bundesliga is back! On Friday night (live text and free Web Radio from 20:30 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app), FC Bayern begin the new 2022/23 season - and they’ve got a rip-roarer of a fixture to start with. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team travel to reigning Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt. From the opposition to the team news, get all the info you need in the preview.

The photos from the last training session before the trip to Frankfurt:

The situation for FC Bayern

Bayern’s bid for an 11th consecutive Bundesliga title begins in Frankfurt. After a number of changes to the squad over the summer break, the Munich men are fired up for the start of the league campaign. After an intense pre-season, including the Audi Summer Tour in the USA and two friendlies against D.C. United (6-2) and Manchester City (0-1), the record champions picked up their first trophy of the new season already last weekend in the DFL Supercup at RB Leipzig. Nagelsmann’s side particularly impressed in the first half and ran out deserved 5-3 winners in the end, showing they’re ready to aim high.

Expert starters and Müller’s next milestone - here are the top facts on the away match against Frankfurt:

The opponents: Eintracht Frankfurt

Eintracht Frankfurt caused a sensation on the European stage last season. By winning the Europa League, Oliver Glasner’s side wrote themselves into the history books and secured qualification for the Champions League. In the Bundesliga, however, they only managed an 11th-place finish. The Hessians have strengthened their attack in the summer with two prominent names in ex-Bayern player Mario Götze (PSV Eindhoven) and Lucas Alario (Bayer Leverkusen). In their pre-season friendlies, they managed three wins (1-0 vs. Aschaffenburg, 3-1 vs. Torino and 5-0 vs. Astoria Walldorf) and a draw (0-0 against LASK). The Eagles beat second-division club 1. FC Magdeburg 4-0 in the DFB Cup on Monday.

“Playing at Frankfurt isn’t easy,” said FCB coach Nagelsmann. “The crowd will be right behind them, especially after the Europa League win. The fans are exalted, Oli Glasner is an excellent coach and the team are really well attuned.”

Watch Julian Nagelsmann’s pre-match press conference again:

The team news for Frankfurt vs. FC Bayern

Along with Kingsley Coman, who is still suspended for two more games following his red card against Stuttgart on Matchday 33 of last season, Bayern must do without Leon Goretzka (knee surgery) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (individual training after groin and hip problems) at Deutsche Bank Park. Captain Manuel Neuer was unable to train on Wednesday and Thursday due to an upset stomach, but according to Nagelsmann the goalkeeper will travel to Frankfurt. “He’s feeling a lot better. If it continues that way, he can play tomorrow.”

For Eintracht, summer signings Jérôme Onguéné (thigh) and Hrvoje Smolčić (suspension carried over from last season in Croatia) are unavailable.

What the coaches say

Julian Nagelsmann: “I’m full of anticipation for kick-off. Frankfurt are a good team with a very passionate crowd. Friday night, Bundesliga opening match, is a special moment for both, so it’s going to be a very exciting game.”

Oliver Glasner (Eintracht Frankfurt): “First and foremost it’s about our own performance. We want to occupy Bayern and move them around. I think Bayern will have their noses in front over the course of the season again, because they have a really great team. However, we won’t be raising the white flag, but will do all we can to start the season with a win. In one match it’s always possible to win, against any team in the world.”

In an interview, Thomas Müller talks about his excitement for the start of the season and the new situation in the FC Bayern squad: