FC Bayern have played Hoffenheim 17 times since TSG's promotion to the Bundesliga in 2008. FCB have won 12 times and five games were drawn but Bayern have never ended up as losers (39 goals for, 12 against). In the long history of the Bundesliga there is no other fixture played as often where one club has never won. Carlo Ancelotti's men will be looking to continue that run on Tuesday night (20:00 CEST). fcbayern.com presents further facts and stats on the away game on matchday 27.
Duel of the generations
At the age of 57, Ancelotti is the oldest coach in the current campaign and the 29-year-old Julian Nagelsmann is the youngest of the current coaches in the top flight. When Nagelsmann was born, Ancelotti had just been transferred as a player to AC Milan and he already had league and cup honours with AS Roma on his CV. The Italian has experienced over 1,000 matches from the dugout. "The generation of coaches including Carlo Ancelotti sets the gold standard in terms of experience," said Nagelsmann who has been at the managerial helm for 42 professional games.
Top-of-the-table clash
Over that short period, the newcomer in the dugout at TSG has turned the team into a top side. Since he was appointed in February 2016 only Bayern (100) and Borussia Dortmund (80) have collected more points than Hoffenheim (71). That is one reason why the team from Kraichgau are third in the table and a real top-of-the-table clash awaits. According to the table of games after the winter break this match would pitch first against second as TSG's 17 points in the second half of the season are only six short of FCB's total (23)
Hoffenheim strong at home
TSG have been busy collecting points in front of their own crowd. This season, Nagelsmann's team are unbeaten at the Rhein-Neckar-Arena (eight wins, five draws). Besides Hoffenheim, only Bayern and Borussia Dortmund are also unbeaten at home this term. Bayern fans travel to Baden-Württemberg with good memories as all of the last four games there have been won.
Clean sheets
The supporters of Germany's record champions can also rely on their defence. The goal stats from the last five league matches are 21 for and 0 against. Bayern have gone 519 minutes without conceding – the last goal was conceded in the 1-1 draw in Berlin on 18 February.
Unluckiest team in the league
The league leaders have hit the woodwork 21 times this season – the highest rate in the league. Bayern hit the post or bar three times on the last matchday. Hoffenheim are second in this stat with 14 shots against the woodwork. Amongst the players, Robert Lewandowski is the unluckiest player in the league with six shots against post or bar followed by Thomas Müller (five).
Stegemann is the man in the middle
The referee for this match is Sascha Stegemann. This will be the fourth time this season the 32-year-old has officiated in a game involving FC Bayern. The referee from Niederkassel was in charge for the 5-0 win against Wolfsburg, the 2-1 victory at Werder Bremen and the 3-1 success for Bayern in the DFB Cup against Augsburg. Stegemann will be assisted by Christian Fischer and Sören Storks, supported by the fourth official Guido Kleve.
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