Bayern expecting “keenly fought game” in Supercup

After two-and-a-half months off, the 2023/23 season finally begins on Saturday as FC Bayern take on RB Leipzig in the Supercup (live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). The first game of the campaign also presents the chance to earn the first title of the season. After a number of incomings and outgoings at the Bundesliga champions, it’s going to be an exciting year for the Munich club. Here’s all you need to know about kick-off in Leipzig…

Situation for Bayern

There’s great excitement in the Bayern camp for the start of the campaign and the Supercup away at Leipzig. Pre-season and the Audi Summer Tour went well, with a 6-2 friendly win over DC United and a high-quality narrow 1-0 defeat to Manchester City in the USA. Julian Nagelsmann’s team has been very much strengthened with the arrivals of Sadio Mane, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Ryan Gravenberch and Mathys Tel. “I’m very happy. They’re all making a good impression,” said the 35-year-old coach, who wants to make a “little statement” with a Supercup victory. Captain Manuel Neuer added of the game: “We‘re looking forward to Leipzig. It’ll be a keenly fought game, but we absolutely want to win the Supercup.”

We also spoke with Serge Gnabry ahead of the Supercup about the coming season:

Opponents RB Leipzig

DFB Cup holders Leipzig are making their Supercup debut after they won the first major trophy in their history by beating Freiburg 4-2 on penalties in last season’s final. RB have signed Xaver Schlager and kept hold of chief goal threat Christopher Nkunku over the summer. They also had two friendlies during pre-season, beating Southampton 3-1 and losing 5-0 to Liverpool. Domenico Tedesco’s team now want to start the campaign by winning their next title against Bayern. However, Die Roten Bullen have lost their last three Bundesliga encounters against the men from Munich.

Looking back on Bayern’s last six Supercup triumphs:

Player update

“Bouna isn’t back yet. He’s only trained for two days after a patellar tendon problem,” Nagelsmann said at his pre-match press conference as he confirmed Bouna Sarr would miss out. Leon Goretzka will also have to watch on after his knee operation, while Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is also sidelined after the coach confirmed it will still be some time before the 33-year-old resumes training after groin and hip problems. Otherwise, Nagelsmann has the whole squad at his disposal as fans look forward to seeing which new signings will make their competitive debuts in red on Saturday.

Re-watch Nagelsmann’s pre-match press conference:

What the coaches say

Julian Nagelsmann: “The Supercup is a title you can win. Leipzig are a very good team, who are well drilled together because they’ve had few new signings to integrate. Leipzig is a young and hungry club that always tries to chip away at Bayern’s status. That was no different during my time there. That’s why it’s important as Bayern that we make a statement.”

Domenico Tedesco (RB Leipzig): “We’ve trained a lot and well, despite players coming back to training from their breaks at different times. Build-up play under pressure was a key point in several sessions because we struggled in the friendlies. Southampton and Liverpool really pressed us in those games. Not losing the ball in situations like those is a point.”

5 facts and stats on the Supercup encounter: