Unbeaten since 1987: Bayern's impressive end-of-year run

A lap of honour around the stadium, getting into the Christmas spirit with the fans – and three points to boot. For Manuel Neuer, the home game against VfB Stuttgart last December was simply "a successful evening". For their final outing at the Allianz Arena of 2023, the Bavarians achieved what they set out to do. "We wanted to give our fans something again today," said the FCB captain after the 3-0 victory. "We deserved to win and keep the points."

This Friday, around 12 months later, Bayern end the year at home with a clash against RB Leipzig. The target is no different, although there'll be no Neuer this time as he recovers from a rib fracture. The gift of three points for the fans and the players themselves just before the holidays is again the top priority this year – after all, it's a tradition at the German record champions.

Impressive end-of-year run

Since a 3-1 reverse to Borussia Dortmund in November 1987 – when Neuer was just one and a half years old – FCB have not lost in their last Bundesliga home match of the calendar year. The impressive record since then reads 29 wins for the Munich men and seven draws. In fact, they've won their last league home game in each of the last 11 years. It's an impressive run that now needs to be continued.

Watch the video of the 2023 Christmas show again:

The 2-1 defeat at Mainz last weekend should give Bayern even more motivation to end the year on a positive note. "We've reacted very well to every defeat so far and we want to do that again against Leipzig," demanded board member for sport Max Eberl. The same can be heard from within the team: "It's important that we win the last game," said Joshua Kimmich. "Everyone has to make sure they're at a top level on Friday. Then Leipzig will come up against a very strong Bayern."

Bayern a force at home all year

As they have done throughout the year, Bayern are looking to show who's boss at the Allianz Arena when the Saxony side visit. The German record champions have won 13 of their 16 Bundesliga matches on home turf in 2024 (D1, L2). In Europe's big five leagues, only Real Madrid boast a higher win percentage at their own stadium (84%) than FCB (81%). Of course, that wouldn't be possible without the great support of the fans, which is why FC Bayern have once again come up with a Christmas surprise for the spectators in Fröttmaning to round off the year. All that's left now is the right result for the next "successful evening" at the Allianz Arena.

Here are more facts on the meeting with Leipzig: