Bayern go to Wolfsburg looking for win going into winter break

Bayern have one final game in 2023 before a well-deserved winter break as they visit Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga on Wednesday (kick-off at 20:30 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 for the game.

Check out the photos from final training on Tuesday:

State of play

After two convincing wins in the space of five days against Manchester United (1-0) and VfB Stuttgart (3-0), Bayern have laid the foundations for a good end to 2023 and are now looking to go into the winter break with a victory for the 11th year in a row. “We’re looking forward to the break, but tomorrow we absolutely want to take the next step. Then we’ll be ready to go all out again from 2 January,” said head coach Thomas Tuchel at his press conference on Tuesday.

Although the recent defeat in Frankfurt and the fact the game against Union Berlin was postponed until January means Bayern can no longer claim first place in the Bundesliga over the break, the team are still well on track. A total of 35 points from 14 games played makes this the record champions’ best start to a campaign for eight years (40 at this stage in 2015/16) and places them hot on the heels of leaders Bayer Leverkusen (39 points from 15 games). Victory in this final game in Wolfsburg should now lay the foundations for reeling in the Werkself in 2024.

Recap what Tuchel said at his press conference:

Opponents Wolfsburg

After a run of three straight defeats in all competitions, there was visible relief at Wolfsburg after their 1-0 win over Darmstadt at the weekend. “That was a very important and hard-earned victory for us today, which we defended with passion,” said coach Niko Kovac after his side saw out the three points with 10 men following Maxence Lacroix’s red card in the first half. The result took the Wolves back into the top half of the table after a run of only four points from the previous eight games and keeps them in sight of the European spots. Ahead of the final home game of the year, the former Munich coach and player believes his current team are the “clear outsiders. We’ll have to torment ourselves so we can cause Bayern problems,” Kovac said.

Read up on the facts ahead of the game:

Personnel

After missing Sunday’s Stuttgart game with illness, it will be “very tight” for Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka, according to Tuchel. Daniel Peretz will also be the back-up goalkeeper again with Sven Ulreich also out. Kingsley Coman, Noussair Mazraoui (both calf), Bouna Sarr (cruciate ligament) and Serge Gnabry (adductor) knew already that their 2023 was over due to injuries.

The hosts are without suspended defender Lacroix as well as Patrick Wimmer (ankle), Lukas Nmecha and Amin Sarr (both knee). Captain Maximilian Arnold is back from suspension, however.

What the coaches say