"Right attitude" required to progress

Bayern are racking up the miles at the moment. After Wolfsburg, AEK Athens and Mainz, the Reds play their fourth consecutive away game on Tuesday evening when they do battle with fourth-tier outfit SV Rödinghausen in the second round of the DFB Cup. “The first priority is to progress to the next round,” declared Niko Kovac in his press conference on Monday.

“We want to and have to win. We want to stay in the cup beyond the winter,” added the 47-year-old, who’s well aware that his side are “overwhelming favourites”. However, the first round has already shown “that it’s not that easy against fourth-division teams.” That’s why Kovac has concerned himself with the opposition in good time: “We don’t want to leave anything to chance. We need to approach the task with the right attitude.”        

Personnel concerns

However, Kovac’s biggest problem may be in selecting his team, as the Bayern coach has several personnel issues. James Rodríguez and Jérôme Boateng will both sit out due to illness and Arjen Robben is out with a back problem. Kovac will also be without Sven Ulreich – but for happier reasons. The goalkeeper is with his wife ahead of the imminent birth of their child.

Mats Hummels, who missed Saturday’s match at Mainz, was in training today but couldn’t make the trip due to light neuromuscular problems. Leon Goretzka, who was forced off on Saturday, is fit. Including long-term absentees Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso, a total of seven players are unavailable for the cup clash.

Youth quartet in the squad

“Some players from the reserves will move up,” revealed Kovac as Meritan Shabani, Paul Will and Wooyeong Jeong joined Neuer and Co on the bus. Goalkeeper Christian Früchtl will link up with the squad after the reserves’ match against Burghausen.

Bayern’s last three away outings have all ended in victory and so it should be again this time. “We’re back on the road to success and want to keep winning,” said a confident Kovac before setting off.