Bayern make their long-awaited Bundesliga return to Hamburg as they visit the Volksparkstadion on Saturday (kick-off at 18:30 CET, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the Matchday 20 clash in our preview.
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Bayern’s journey north brings to an end a mammoth run of seven games in the space of 21 days in January. A return of five wins and last week’s late loss to Augsburg means the team can be mostly pleased, even with several injury issues to contend with. But the team still has to give their all one more time to conclude this busy spell. “Hopefully we can go full at it one more time this month and see the best Bayern. Then it could be a good month, given everything we’ve been through. Hopefully we’ll then have a full squad back for February, which we’ll need to attack in March,” demanded coach Vincent Kompany.
Read up on the facts ahead of the game:
However, it isn’t just the prospects looking ahead that excite Kompany as he prepares to go back to the future in Hamburg. “We had a great team at the time. I only spent two years there, but they’re such fond memories because it was such a great time,” the coach said of his spell as a HSV player in his younger days, making 51 competitive appearances for the Red Shorts. Nevertheless, Kompany has no intention of arriving with on-field gifts, as he looks to steer his team to a sixth straight away win in all competitions. “I’m going there now because I want to have my best time with Bayern. I want to win tomorrow, and then I’ll look forward to everything else,” the Belgian explained.
Read more from Kompany at his pre-match press conference:
Opponent: Hamburg
HSV have settled back into Bundesliga life well enough after seven seasons away, but they’ve hit their first real rough patch of results, going five games without a win for the first time since gaining promotion. They have, however, only lost two of those outings. Nevertheless, the northern club remain a confident side. “I see a team that trains full of excitement and is really up for testing themselves against one of the best teams in Europe,” said Hamburg coach Merlin Polzin ahead of the game. His side want to build on their impressive home form, having earned 15 of their 18 points so far on their own patch.
“Things have happened at the Volksparkstadion that just wouldn’t have been possible elsewhere,” the 35-year-old said. Kompany, though, is aware of the opposition’s qualities at home. “I expect a team that will fight for the points, that knows this is an important period of the season and believes they can achieve something at home,” he added. “But we have full trust in ourselves and head to Hamburg really up for this. We’re really excited for this game.”
Get the lowdown on HSV:
Team news
Konrad Laimer (calf) won’t make the trip to Hamburg, but Raphaël Guerreiro (calf) and Josip Stanišić (ankle) have both recovered from their respective injuries and could return to the fold.
Hamburg are without the injured Alexander Røssing-Lelesiit and Yussuf Poulsen (both ankle). Jean-Luc Dompé has also been suspended for disciplinary reasons, while Silvan Hefti and Guilherme Ramos aren’t included as they negotiate transfers. Damion Downs, Fabio Baldé and Robert Glatzel are all doubtful.
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What the coaches say
HSV are currently rebuilding. There’s potential there. When they’re healthy, stable and play well, they’re a team who should usually be up at the top in Germany.
Vincent Kompany
It’s not about how great the probability is of getting something against Bayern but having the conviction we need.
Merlin Polzin (Hamburg)
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