Bayern play their third home game in the space of nine days as they welcome Bochum to the Allianz Arena on Bundesliga Matchday 5 on Saturday (kick-off at 15:30 CEST, coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our live text and free web radio). The defending champions want to end this home triple header with another win that would take them top of the Bundesliga table, at least overnight. Here’s all you need to know about the game in our preview.
Check out the best photos from final training on Friday:
State of play for Bayern
Bayern’s two games since the international break have produced plenty of goals and excitement, with last week’s 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen being followed by the 4-3 victory over Manchester United in the opening Champions League group game on Wednesday. “The goal is always to concede fewer goals. We’re trying to create stability,” said head coach Thomas Tuchel at his press conference on Friday. “The focus at the moment is on the fact we’re capable of scoring a lot in every game. The balance is ultimately what makes a coach happy. We’re working on that.” With that mix of attacking power from recent weeks and increased defensive stability, Bayern want to bring up their fourth win from five Bundesliga games in 2023/24 when they take on Bochum. Victory over the Ruhr club would take the defending champions top of the table overnight at least, with current leaders Leverkusen not hosting Heidenheim until Sunday.
Recap Tuchel’s key statements from his press conference:
Opponent: Bochum
A strong finish with seven points from the final three games of last season saw Bochum ensure their top-flight survival and earn a third straight year of Bundesliga football. Thomas Letsch’s team have earned three points from the opening four fixtures of this campaign, following a 5-0 thumping at VfB Stuttgart with draws against Borussia Dortmund (1-1), at Augsburg (2-2) and then against Eintracht Frankfurt (1-1) last time out. “We need the greatest respect for the opponent and the task at hand. Bochum are on a good run, three games without defeat, and deservedly so,” stated Tuchel. “They’ve had a lot of shots in their games, play very intensely, with lots of sprints and intensive runs.”
Read up on the facts ahead of the game:
Personnel
Bayern are still without captain Manuel Neuer. When asked about possible rotation after two tough fixtures, Tuchel said: “There’s always the thought to rotate, but we have to wait and see who’s available. The feedback yesterday was very positive, also from those carrying slight knocks. But we won’t rotate for rotation’s sake.”
Bochum come to Munich without Michael Esser (knee), Keven Schlotterbeck (shoulder) Moritz-Broni Kwarteng and Mats Pannewig (both muscular issues).
Bayern and Bochum fans have been friends for 50 years:
What the coaches say
Bochum isn’t a game where we can simply do our thing and then the result will just come. We have to adapt a few things and be ready to match them physically. There will be a lot of sprints and challenges.
Thomas Tuchel
Bayern have brutal quality and are the big favourites for the title. We know what’s coming our way, but we go there with the clear goal of getting something from the game.
Thomas Letsch (Bochum head coach)
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