FC Bayern turned in an impressive display in their last Champions League encounter of the year when they downed Paris Saint-Germain 3-1, and the men in red aim to follow that up with another important win this weekend. Coach Jupp Heynckes and his men will wrap up the Herbstmeisterschaft, the unofficial accolade awarded to the team at the top of the Bundesliga at the midpoint of the campaign, for the seventh time in a row if they win away to Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday (live in English from 15.30 CET on our ticker and FC Bayern TV PLUS Web Radio).
Bayern have a six-point edge and a significantly better goal difference compared to RB Leipzig, with three Bundesliga matches to go this year. After the match away to Frankfurt they will entertain Köln and travel to face Stuttgart. But a tough challenge awaits the German record champions at the Commerzbank Arena, as the hosts held Bayern to draws in the last two matches in Frankfurt.
Kimmich and Heynckes issue warnings
"We've struggled in Frankfurt over the last two years," commented Joshua Kimmich, referring to last year's fixture, which ended in a draw despite a 2-1 lead and an extra man for Bayern. Kimmich expects "a very awkward match. Frankfurt have a good coach, they're always well-prepared. But we must fight, stick to our game plan and win."
Ahead of a return to one of his former clubs, Jupp Heynckes agreed with the Germany starlet. "It's a good campaign for Eintracht Frankfurt this year, they're a really well-structured team," the 72-year-old said prior to his 650th Bundesliga match as a coach. Eintracht are "hard-running, they have fighting spirit, they're aggressive and dangerous. It'll be a new challenge for us after the Champions League," Heynckes warned: "It won't be easy for us, they'll go to their absolute limits."
Quartet to return
Heynckes has the entire squad from the match against PSG at his disposal, including Kingsley Coman, who sustained a minor thigh problem in the game but completed the squad programme on Friday. Heynckes is likely to rotate his squad. Jérôme Boateng, Javi Martínez, Arturo Vidal and Thomas Müller, who were rested against PSG, may well return to the starting line-up.
The hosts aim to confirm their recent upward trend: Eintracht have lost only one of their last nine matches. "We're in good form and recently sealed a crucial away victory against Berlin. We absolutely want to keep up this positive momentum. We're all fired up for the match, and our approach won't be different compared to the last few matches," said midfielder Marius Wolf.
Besides, Niko Kovac' men aim to remain unbeaten at home against FCB for the third time in a row. But it will not be easy, according to the Eintracht coach: "Bayern come here on a roll. We'll need a superb day, and we'll need Bayern to have one that's not so good. If we play to our ability we'll be able to annoy Bayern," said Kovac, who is without flu victim Makoto Hasebe.
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