"Fired up" for first competitive match

It was clear to see from observing Säbener Straße on Friday that things are getting serious again. For the first time in this footballing year, Carlo Ancelotti drew the curtains around the training pitch as he didn’t want preparations for Saturday’s Supercup against Borussia Dortmund (live text from 20:30 CEST) to be disturbed. Bayern travel as Bundesliga champions to cup winners Dortmund to contest the first trophy of the season.

“We’re very fired up for the first official game of the season. It’s a final,” said the Italian. Although pre-season has not been ideal in terms of results, the 58 year-old is full of confidence ahead of Saturday’s showdown. “The team is ready for the Supercup!” At the same time, he is aware of their problems in recent games.

Get the balance right

“We know we’re not in the best physical condition right now but football isn’t just physical. It’s also about tactics, strategy, experience, character and motivation. I have full confidence that we’ll show these qualities,” declared the head coach, for whom one thing is particularly important.

“A good balance is the recipe for success and I’m sure that’ll be better against Dortmund. We need to solve this problem together,” demanded Ancelotti. He’ll be without a number of key players, though. Arjen Robben, Jérôme Boateng, David Alaba, Manuel Neuer, Thiago, James Rodriguez and Juan Bernat will all miss out due to injury.

Intelligence required

But Ancelotti will not let that deter him. “We can replace these players and play and win without them.” The Italian called for an “intelligent performance” from his side as they’re facing “a strong team with a new coach who might play with a different approach now.”

Peter Bosz did not reveal what this strategy will be, but he couldn’t hide his excitement for his first competitive game as Dortmund coach. “I’m looking forward to it. Being against Bayern makes it even more interesting,” described the 53 year-old Dutchman, who will have to do without André Schürrle. Fans will be looking forward to this first appearance with excitement and they’ll also have another new experience.

The video assistant referee will be deployed for the first time in German professional football. Otherwise everything else is the same for the Supercup. If there’s no winner after 90 minutes, the game will go straight to penalties to determine whether the name of FC Bayern München will be going on the trophy again.