FC Bayern host VfL Wolfsburg in their first competitive match of the new year on Sunday (live text and free Web Radio commentary from 17:30 CET on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). Frosty conditions are expected at the Allianz Arena with temperatures of around minus six degrees. For the Munich men, it’s about carrying forward the momentum from the first half of the season and kicking off a busy period of seven games in 21 days with a win. Get all the info you need ahead of the clash with the Wolves in our preview.
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FC Bayern are enjoying the best season in Bundesliga history so far with 13 wins, two draws and a goal difference of +44. The 55 goals scored are also a record at this stage of the campaign. So, for head coach Vincent Kompany’s team it’s simply a case of carrying on as before the Christmas before. After 13 days off, Bayern have prepared for the upcoming intense phase with a busy week of training and a friendly at FC Red Bull Salzburg, where FCB impressed in a comfortable 5-0 win.
The facts on the meeting with Wolfsburg:
Now three points against Wolfsburg are required to stay in that flow, although boss Kompany is wary of Sunday’s opponents. “It's not a game without danger,” he warned. “You have to be prepared for the opponents' strengths. When they get chances, they score goals,” said the 39-year-old in his press conference on Saturday. But for Kompany, it’s above all about his team’s own strengths, which they’ve already demonstrated many times in impressive fashion at home this season. “I want to see us push through our game,” he added.
Here are all the key statements from the pre-match press conference:
Opponents: Wolfsburg
After a decent start to the campaign with five points from the first three games, Wolfsburg’s form slumped as they collected just three points from the next eight matches. That resulted in Paul Simonis, who was only appointed in the summer, being replaced as head coach by Daniel Bauer. VfL have steadied since then, registering seven points from the last four Bundesliga outings. With a total of 15 points, the club from the car manufacturing city ended the year in 14th place. The ambitious Wolves will be looking to rack up points as quickly as possible in the new year to move away from the lower region of the table. “The strengths of Wolfsburg are clear: they're a very good team going forward who score goals. They’re always a goal threat, even more so in the last few games,” described Kompany.
A more detailed analysis of the upcoming opponents:
Team news
Bayern are without Nicolas Jackson (Africa Cup of Nations) as well as Alphonso Davies, Sacha Boey (both ill) and Joshua Kimmich (individual training). Kompany also confirmed that Jamal Musiala is not yet ready to make his comeback: “We're close but we don't want to take that final step too quickly. This week was good for him, he's done almost everything in training. But this game is still too soon." Manuel Neuer will return, though.
For the visitors, Bence Dárdai, Jonas Wind, Joakim Maehlen, Rogério and Jenson Seelt are all sidelined, while Mohamed Amoura is away at the Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria.
Test your knowledge on the fixture in our Matchday Quiz:
What the coaches say
I want to see that we're Bayern Munich at home and that we push through our game, even though the opponents have their strengths.
Vincent Kompany
For us it's crucial that we completely believe in our plan, with a lot of passion and running. It's also important that we're brave on the ball and find good, quick solutions to the press.
Daniel Bauer (Wolfsburg)
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