FC Bayern and Eintracht Frankfurt contest a dress rehearsal 21 days ahead of the DFB Cup final at Berlin's Olympic Stadium. fcbayern.com has compiled the most interesting facts and stats prior to Saturday's clash.
Heynckes' favourite opponents
Jupp Heynckes coached Eintracht for nine months in the 1994/95 season, but the 72-year-old also has fond memories of matches against the men from Hesse: Heynckes has yet to lose as Bayern coach against Eintracht, winning ten out of 13 competitive fixtures, with three games ending in a draw. In his long career as Bayern coach, he has encountered Frankfurt more often than any other side without losing a match.
Streak against Frankfurt
Bayern's recent record against Eintracht is very strong, especially at the Allianz Arena. The German record champions have gone unbeaten against Frankfurt in 13 Bundesliga matches, winning ten and drawing three. FCB have won all of their last eight home matches against Eintracht. The last time the men from Hesse took something away from the Allianz Arena dates back to November 2007, a goalless draw. Bayern have kept a clean sheet in 10 of the last 11 Bundesliga encounters with SGE, the only exception dating back to October 2016, a 2-2 draw at the Commerzbank Arena.
FCB invincible on their home field
The Allianz Arena is a stronghold in the Bundesliga. The German record champions have gone unbeaten in 37 Bundesliga matches, boasting 30 victories and seven draws in front of their own fans. The last time the away side took three points in Munich was in March 2016, a 2-1 reverse against Mainz. The only time the Bavarians achieved a longer streak was from 1979 and 1982, when they went 43 matches without defeat. Their current run is a record at the Allianz Arena, which was inaugurated in 2005.
Personal record for Müller
Thomas Müller provided his fourth assist in four matches or 187 minutes when he set up Sebastian Rudy's goal in Hannover. At 12 assists, the 28-year-old is the Bundesliga's best provider along with Augsburg's Philipp Max. Müller will surpass his personal record of 12 assists, set last season, if he sets up another goal this term.
Hasebe banned
Eintracht coach Niko Kovac will have to make do without Makoto Hasebe. The Japan captain saw a red card in the last match against Hertha Berlin. Simon Falette returns to the squad after serving a one-match ban. Mijat Gacinovic, Marius Wolf and Gelson Fernandes have all picked up four yellow cards so far and would face a suspension should they collect another booking.
No Bayern pro will miss the match with suspension, but Jérôme Boateng, Sandro Wagner, Rafinha and Thomas Müller on four bookings sail close to the wind.
Dingert in charge
Christian Dingert will be the man with the whistle on Saturday. The 37-year-old from Lebecksmühle has taken charge of two matches involving Bayern this term, the 2-2 draw against Wolfsburg in September and the 6-0 victory over Hamburg in March. His assitants will be Tobias Christ and Timo Gerach, with Christian Gittelmann acting as fourth official. Frank Willenborg and Alexander Sather will be the video assistants.
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