Bayern confident with ‘all we need’ ahead of away game at Augsburg

Bayern are on the road for the first time this year, but it’s only a short trip as they visit Bavarian neighbours Augsburg on Saturday (kick-off at 15:30 CET, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and web radio). Here’s all you need to know about the Matchday 19 fixture in our preview.

Check out the best photos from final training on Friday:

State of play

Bayern returned to winning ways on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory in their rearranged game against Union Berlin after the previous week’s 1-0 defeat to Werder Bremen. With 18 matchdays played, the defending champions are in second place on 44 points, four behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen, who host Borussia Mönchengladbach on Saturday evening. To maintain pressure on the Werkself, it means three more points are a must in Augsburg.

However, the men from Munich are somewhat short on numbers for the short journey. Dayot Upamecano (hamstring), Konrad Laimer (calf) and Joshua Kimmich (shoulder) all suffered injuries in the Union game. “We’ll try to compensate for that now. There’s a plan, the tasks will be clear for what we want to do and what Augsburg try to do,” said Thomas Tuchel at his press conference on Friday. “Despite all that, we feel well prepared and will push the team throughout the game. I’m sure we’ll have all we need to get an important away win,” the coach added.

Recap what else Tuchel had to say in his press conference:

Opponent: Augsburg

Augsburg ended a run of four games without a win by claiming a 2-1 victory away at Gladbach last weekend. It places them in 10th, just outside the top half of the table, on 21 points. The result once again demonstrated the Bavarians’ greatest strength this season as they showed morale to battle back from 1-0 down. They have earned a total of 15 points this term from losing positions – a league high.

Augsburg now want to build on last week’s success with the right mindset and their fans behind them. The stadium has been sold out for Bayern’s arrival. “It’s incredibly important for us to play at home in front of a full house. They’re our 12th man,” said coach Jess Thorup at his press conference on Thursday.

Read up on the facts ahead of the game:

Team news

As well as Upamecano, Laimer and Kimmich, Bayern are also still without Serge Gnabry (muscular), Bouna Sarr (cruciate ligament) and Daniel Peretz (knee), while Minjae Kim and Noussair Mazraoui are still competing with their countries at the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively.

Three Bayern players suffered injuries against Union Berlin during the week:

The hosts have a fully fit squad available for selection. Thorup confirmed that Niklas Dorsch, who has had adductor problems of late, is also likely to feature.

What the coaches say