FC Bayern and FC Nürnberg face off for the 62nd time in the Bundesliga on Sunday (live in English from 18.00 CEST on our exclusive fcbayern.com ticker). The derby atmosphere will be even more heated as both teams need every point to achieve their goals. Nürnberg are fighting to stay in the league, whereas Bayern aim to clinch the seventh championship title in a row.
"It's a derby, it's essential," Niko Kovac commented on the situation in the table, demanding: "We must and we want to win the match!" The fight for the championship title is "tight," but Bayern are in front: "We're assuming we'll need four victories. If it turns out we don't need so many we're okay with that," the Bayern coach explained. On Saturday the focus was on another derby on Matchday 31.
Bayern's chief rivals Borussia Dortmund lost 4-2 to FC Schalke in the Revierderby, which means the German record champions can extend their lead in the table. However, the FCB coach thinks his men will need patience as Nürnberg are "very compact, very solid. It'll be difficult to find gaps and create chances," the 47-year-old analysed. "But we want to score as soon as possible to make our opponents open up," Kovac outlined his plan.
Nürnberg refuse to run up white flag
Nürnberg are aware of their role as underdogs but refuse to give up on the crucial points in the relegation battle. "We need a perfect day if we want to take points. A few other teams have achieved it against Bayern, and we want to follow suit," said FCN head coach Boris Schommers.
His players are not under pressure ahead of the derby, according to Schommers: "We don't have much to lose but we can win a whole lot, and that's how we're approaching the match," said the 40-year-old, who can draw on "all resources" in terms of personnel. Niko Kovac on the other hand is plagued by injury concerns: Manuel Neuer and Corentin Tolisso are still in rehab and rated doubtful for the match, as is Franck Ribéry, who worked individually on Saturday. Jérôme Boateng sustained a bruised knee in the final training session and will miss the match.
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