"We're travelling to Ausgburg to win the match. And if we win we're champions," declared Jupp Heynckes on the day before the match away to FC Augsburg (Live in English from 15.30 CET on our exclusive fcbayern.com ticker). FC Bayern are 17 points clear at the top of the table after 28 matches, and Bayern can no longer be toppled from their perch if they take three points in Augsburg, regardless of Schalke's match away to Hamburg later on Saturday.
"We have the chance of clinching the German championship title through our own efforts. That's our intention," stressed the FC Bayern head coach. However, "our opponents aim to thwart that," added Heynckes: "FCA are having a good season. It certainly won't be easy. They have an ambitious team and an ambitious coach."
Minor worries
The 72-year-old is looking forward to the match, partly because the trip is not long. "The nice thing is that our journey will be short, we'll travel comfortably by bus," said Heynckes, who will have to make do without a number of players on Saturday.
Apart from long-term absentees Manuel Neuer and Kingsely Coman, Arturo Vidal will miss the match after sustaining a capsular injury against Sevilla. David Alaba too "has been unable to train at 100 percent" and will not be available.
No celebrations on Saturday
It remains to be seen whether Corentin Tolisso ("He still has problems with his leg"), Thiago (knee problem) and Juan Bernat ("He's resumed the squad programme") will be available. Heynckes will decide after the final training session, but the trio will definitely travel to Augsburg.
"I'll take along all players because we might seal the title," declared Heynckes. There will be no major celebrations after the match as the upcoming weeks are too important. "Our work isn't done, I hope we'll have many more challenges ahead of us. We can celebrate when we have the opportunity. We can paint the town red then," stressed Heynckes, adding that "a glass of champagne in the dressing room will be okay." Heynckes will do everything so his men will have earned the right to it.
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