Bayern coach Niko Kovac is going back to his roots on Friday. As well as being born in Berlin, the 46-year-old played for Hertha BSC between 1991 and 1996 (136 second-tier appearance, 15 goals) and again from 2003 to 2006 (75 Bundesliga appearances, 8 goals). He played in the same team as current Hertha coach Pal Dardai on 34 occasions in the top flight. fcbayern.com has picked out more interesting facts and figures around the match in the capital:
History in Bayern’s favour
FC Bayern and Hertha BSC are meeting for the 67th time in the Bundesliga and the record German champions have a strong record, with 38 wins compared to Hertha’s nine along with a goal difference of 152:71. It’s a similar picture when looking at their record in Berlin. Bayern have won 12 of the two sides’ 33 encounters at the Olympiastadion, losing seven and drawing 14.
Unbeaten since 2009
The recent record between the two teams also makes good reading for Bayern, who have won 11 of their last 14 games against Hertha. Indeed, they have only lost one of their last 29 Bundesliga encounters with the ‘Old Lady’ (20 wins, eight draws), with that defeat dating back to February 2009. However, the last three meetings have ended in draws, making Hertha the only current Bundesliga side who have not lost any of their last three games against FCB.
Keep the Oktoberfest run going
Can the Reds extend their impressive record during Oktoberfest for another year? The record German champions are unbeaten in 28 league games during the festival since October 2010, winning 21 of them. So far during this year’s event, they’ve managed a 2-0 win over Schalke and a 1-1 draw at home to Augsburg.
Hertha in good form at home
Ten points from their first five games is Hertha BSC’s second-best record in their Bundesliga history, behind the 1970/71 campaign. The Berliners have been particularly strong on home turf, losing just one of their last seven home games going back to last season. They’ve won both of their matches in the capital this season and a win over Bayern would see them record three straight home wins for the first time in two years.
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