Bayern boss Pep Gaurdiola handed his men the day off on Friday, but a handful of players reported to headquarters anyway for a workout on the eve of the home meeting with FC Augsburg. One of the keenest was Sebastian Rode, who has recovered from a sprain and joined David Alaba for a run. Mario Götze, Dante, Tom Starke, Mitchell Weiser, Gianluca Gaudino and Sinan Kurt also took to the practice ground.
Bayern 6 - Augsburg 1
The Bavarian derby between FC Bayern and FC Augsburg has taken place seven times in the Bundesliga to date, with FCB winning six. The Reds’ solitary defeat was the 1-0 reverse in Augsburg some 13 months ago when the men from Munich had already been crowned champions. Pep Guardiola’s men lead 16-3 on goals in the fixtures.
FCB in hunt for records
FC Bayern can break a clutch of Bundesliga records in the three remaining matches this term. Pep Guardiola’s men have kept 21 clean sheets so far, already equalling their own record set in 2012/13. FCB have also conceded only 15 goals: the current record for a season stands at 18, also from 2012/13.
Lewandowski loves FCA
FC Augsburg are one of FCB striker Robert Lewandowski’s three favourite opponents as he has scored eight goals in seven games against the Swabians. The Pole has only struck more often against Freiburg (10) and Hannover 96 (9). Lewy is currently third in the league scoring chart on 16 goals, behind injured duo Alexander Meier (19) and Arjen Robben (17) and is well-placed to retain the accolade he won last term.
Reunion for four FCA men
A quartet of ex-FCB players will return to the Allianz Arena with FC Augsburg on Saturday. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg joined FCA on loan at Christmas and has played 13 matches since then. Markus Feulner was a U-19 German champion with FCB in 2001 and made his Bundesliga debut for the Reds. Coach Markus Weinzierl played for the Bayern reserves from 1995 to 1999, and chief executive Stefan Reuter made 95 Bundesliga appearances for Munich from 1988 to 1991, winning the league title twice.
Stegemann in charge
Sascha Stegemann will referee Saturday’s FCB – FCA clash. It will be the 30-year-old from Niederkassel’s sixth-ever Bundesliga match and his second of the season involving FC Bayern: he was in charge for the 4-0 victory over SC Paderborn last autumn. Stegemann’s assistants are Robert Kempter and Thorsten Schiffner, with Thorsten Schriever as the fourth official.
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