After the start of this season’s European action during the week with the Champions League and Europa League, the Bundesliga action continues this weekend with Matchday 5. Second-placed Bayern host an Eintracht Frankfurt side currently occupying fourth spot, while there are other interesting fixtures taking place that will catch the attention of FCB supporters.
VfB Stuttgart – 1. FC Köln
Frankfurt and former Bayern midfielder Sebastian Rode played out a 1-1 draw last weekend away at Köln, who FCB visit the following matchday.
Kick-off: Friday, 23 October 2020, 8:30pm CEST
Significance: Promoted Stuttgart have started the campaign with seven points from their first four games, putting them in fifth place ahead of the weekend. It’s their best start to a top-flight season since 2008/09. On the other hand, Köln picked up their first point of 2020/21 last time out with a 1-1 draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Key stat: Stuttgart are unbeaten in their last three matches and could now move top of the table (at least overnight) if they beat Köln by four goals. In stark contrast, the Billy Goats are without a win in 14 Bundesliga games. Bayern head to Cologne on Matchday 6.
Quote of the game: “The game is no more important than any other. I don’t like emphasising induvial games. We want greater security. The foundation is there. We need to increase our passing accuracy to ensure we don’t waste counter-attacking opportunities after winning back possession. Stuttgart are on the high of a promoted side. They play with the freedom of a young side and are hugely dangerous going forward. You can’t ignore the threat they pose. Nevertheless, I think we have a chance.” (Markus Gisdol, Köln head coach)
RB Leipzig – Hertha Berlin
Kick-off: Saturday, 24 October 2020, 3:30pm CEST
Significance: RB Leipzig currently top the table with 10 points and are full of confidence, especially after winning their opening Champions League group game against Istanbul Basaksehir (2-0). Hertha, however, have lost their last three since a 4-1 victory at Werder Bremen on the opening weekend and head to Leipzig sitting 15th in the table.
Key stat: Leipzig have won six of their eight encounters with the Berliners, which is the most victories last season’s European semi-finalists have recorded against a team in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, the two games where Hertha have earned points both came at the Red Bull Arena (3-2 and 2-2).
Quote of the game: “Even if they haven’t started great, Hertha have a very good team with top individual players. I see a lot of room for development. They showed what they’re capable of against Bayern and could’ve won the game if luck had been on their side.” (Julian Nagelsmann, Leipzig head coach)
Borussia Dortmund – FC Schalke 04
Former Bayern defender Mats Hummels is unbeaten in 11 Bundesliga games against Schalke, winning eight and drawing three with FCB and BVB.
Kick-off: Saturday, 24 October 2020, 6:30pm CEST
Significance: It’s derby time in the Ruhr as Borussia Dortmund and Schalke meet for the 97th time in the Bundesliga. The two teams come into the game in vastly different form, with BVB third in the table on nine points, the same as Bayern. The Royal Blues are on an abysmal run of 20 league games without a win and are currently second from bottom with just one point after four rounds of fixtures.
Key stat: Dortmund hold a narrow lead in the Bundesliga head-to-head with 34 wins to Schalke’s 32. There have been 30 draws in the Revierderby, which is the most the Royal Blues have managed against a club in the top flight. Eleven of those have ended goalless, which is a record in a Bundesliga match-up.
Quote on the game: “We made too many mistakes [in the Champions League against Lazio]. It wasn’t a good game from us. That can happen sometimes. The game against Schalke will be quite different. We’ll manage to win.” (Lucien Favre, Dortmund head coach)
Matchday 5 overview
Friday, 23.10.2020 | 8:30pm CEST
VfB Stuttgart - 1. FC Köln
Saturday, 24.10.2020 | 3:30pm CEST
FC Bayern - Eintracht Frankfurt
1. FC Union Berlin - SC Freiburg
1. FSV Mainz 05 - Borussia Mönchengladbach
RB Leipzig - Hertha Berlin
Saturday, 24.10.2020 | 6:30pm CEST
Borussia Dortmund - FC Schalke 04
Sunday, 25.10.2020 | 3:30pm CET
VfL Wolfsburg - DSC Arminia Bielefeld
Sunday, 25.10.2020 | 6pm CET
SV Werder Bremen - TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Monday, 26.10.2020 | 8:30pm CET
Bayer 04 Leverkusen - FC Augsburg
International: Lokomotiv Moscow – Rotor Volgograd
Lokomotiv Moscow kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 2-2 draw in Salzburg during the week.
Kick-off: Saturday, 24 October 2020, 6pm CEST
Significance: They are already going into the 12th round of games in the Russian Premier League season, where Bayern’s next Champions League opponent, Lokomotiv Moscow (Tuesday at 6.55pm CET), host winless bottom side Rotor Volgograd on Saturday. Sitting fourth on 21 points, Lokomotiv are within striking distance of leaders Zenit St. Petersburg (24 points).
Key stat: The Moscow club are Russia’s form side at the moment as the only club to claim maximum points over the last four games. It’s seen Marko Nikolic’s team climb from 10th place and up into the European positions.
Check out the best facts and figures ahead of Bayern’s game against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday:
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