It’s starting again! The 60th Bundesliga season begins with the opening match between Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Bayern on Friday evening (kick-off 20:30 CEST). The reigning champions from Munich are very much used to the spotlight of the season-opener, as a look at the statistics also proves. fcbayern.com has compiled the pertinent facts and figures ahead of the game:
1. Clear dominance for champions
Bayern won their 10th consecutive league title last season, giving them a statistical advantage in the opening match.
The official opening match involving the reigning champions has been held in the Bundesliga since the 2002/03 campaign - and the holders have an impressive record. In 20 opening games, the champions have won 15 times, with the points being shared in the other five.
2. Bayern strong out of the blocks
In any case, Bayern like Matchday 1. The German record champions have not lost their first league match of the season since a 1-0 defeat at home to Borussia Mönchengladbach at the start of the 2011/12 campaign. As well as eight wins they’ve recorded two draws. Their only longer unbeaten run in opening matches came between 1986 and 1996, when the Munich men went 11 without defeat (W8 D3). Incidentally, Bayern have also scored the first goal of a new Bundesliga campaign on 16 occasions, the most of any club.
3. FCB clearly on top in head-to-head
This will be the 103rd meeting between Bayern and Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany’s top flight. FCB have won over half of them (56), with SGE winning 24 and 22 ending in draws. The Bavarians have triumphed in 18 of their visits to Frankfurt - the most home defeats that the Hessians have suffered against one club in professional football. However, the record in the last three seasons is even, with the two teams registering three wins apiece in the six meetings.
4. Thomas Müller set for next milestone
Thomas Müller is going into his 15th Bundesliga season with Bayern. He already showed in the Supercup last week that he’s in top form again.
Bayern stalwart Thomas Müller could make his 416th Bundesliga appearance in Frankfurt, which would bring him level with Hans-Georg “Katsche” Schwarzenbeck. The only outfield player who’s featured for FCB in more Bundesliga games is Gerd Müller (427).
5. Both teams keen for first win
Having failed to win any of their final three games of last season (D2 L1) - their longest winless run in the league since November 2018 - Bayern are determined to reverse that trend straight away in the first fixture of the 2022/23 season. For opponents Frankfurt, the longing for a league victory is even greater as the Eagles are without a win in eight games in the competition (D5 L3).
We’ve looked back at some special opening matches involving Bayern:
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