Bayern seeking trophy and new record

After six arduous weeks of pre-season, Niko Kovac’s side face their first competitive fixture of the season in the DFL-Supercup on Sunday evening, taking on Eintracht Frankfurt at the Commerzbank-Arena (live ticker from 20:30 CEST). It will be the 19^th edition of this competition between the Bundesliga champions and DFB Cup winners, and history is on the side of the league winners who have triumphed on 11 occasions. Bayern will of course be looking to build on that statistic.

Dugout debuts

For Niko Kovac, the Supercup will be his first competitive match as Bayern coach – and against his former employers Eintracht Frankfurt. There’ll also be a new face in the home side’s dugout, with Adi Hütter making his competitive debut for Eintracht.

Record holders and chasers

This is the seventh year in a row in which FCB have been involved in the Supercup, and their 11^th appearance overall. With six victories, they have won the trophy more times than any other club. Another success on Sunday would set a new record of winning it three years in a row.

Unfamiliar territory for Eintracht

Frankfurt are taking part in the Supercup for only the second time; they lost 2-0 to Werder Bremen in 1988. Their DFB Cup win in May was the Hessian outfit’s first major title since that same year.

Rufer’s record under threat

Thomas Müller and Arjen Robben are both currently on three goals in the Supercup and have Wynton Rufer’s goalscoring record in their vision. Robert Lewandowski, who has netted twice, could also climb into first place.

Journey back in time

For Niklas Süle, the meeting with Eintracht has special meaning. The Bayern centre-back was born in Frankfurt and spent three years at the club as a youngster between 2006 and 2009.

Silver for the Bundesliga, gold for the DFB Cup

The trophy that the two teams will be fighting for is a football weighing 5.5 kg with a height of 53 cm and a diameter of 19 cm. The ball is held up by two 13 x 18 cm arms: a silver one to represent the Bundesliga shield and a gold one to represent the DFB Cup.