'Maintain our rhythm!'
Fri, 12/06/20, 16:15
FC Bayern host Freiburg in their last home game of the season
Following the celebrations, it's time to look ahead again! Thanks to the 1-0 win at Werder Bremen, FC Bayern clinched the German title ahead of schedule on Tuesday. With two matchdays still to play in the Bundesliga, for the Reds that means: maintain momentum so they're well prepared for the DFB Cup final against Bayer 04 Leverkusen on 4 July. On Saturday, FCB will welcome SC Freiburg to the Allianz Arena for the last home match of the season (follow the match on fcbayern.com from 20:30 CEST with our exclusive live updates and free web radio). Find out all you need to know about the match against the team from the Breisgau region in our preview.
The situation
It really was a well-deserved party! "We really let our hair down once again," Thomas Müller described the celebrations after Bayern's successful title defence on Tuesday evening in a Q&A session on Instagram. "We reflected on the season together and celebrated according to the rules - at our individual tables - properly and with lots of music."
Thanks to an outstanding second half of the season with 43 out of a 45 possible points and 11 straight wins, FCB quite rightly secured the title ahead of schedule. With 93 goals scored, the Reds have by far the most dangerous attack and, with 31 goals conceded, also the best defence in the league.
In the reverse fixture, FC Bayern won 3-1 thanks to late goals from Joshua Zirkzee and Serge Gnabry.
The opponents
With 45 points, eighth-placed Freiburg have long been able to plan for another Bundesliga campaign. Christian Streich's team have never had any relegation worries this season - in fact, after notching up seven points in their last three matches, the team from the Breisgau region even have one eye on Europa League qualification, as they're just one point off sixth and seventh places.
"I'm not going to drive myself crazy or put myself under pressure in any way," said the Freiburg coach on Thursday, considering whether new goals for the season could be set after securing safety. Especially since the 55-year-old is well aware that Bayern will not take their foot off the accelerator even after successfully defending their title: "Of course they still have the desire to play as champions and certainly won't want to lose to us at home. They're far too professional and ambitious for that."
Team News
In addition to long-term absentees Philippe Coutinho, Niklas Süle and Corentin Tolisso, Bayern also have to do without David Alaba against Freiburg. "He's had problems with his ankle for a long time. We'll rest him tomorrow," said coach Hansi Flick in his press talk on Friday. In addition, Alphonso Davies is suspended after picking up a second yellow card in Bremen. The jury is still out on Ivan Perišić and Serge Gnabry (bruising), but Lucas Hernández will definitely be in the starting eleven, Flick announced.
As for the visitors, Germany international Robin Koch's involvement is in doubt due to back problems. Lukas Kübler (fluid in his knee) will more than likely be out.
What the coaches say
Hansi Flick: "It's very important that we maintain our rhythm. We're going to approach the next two matches as focused as in the previous matches and intend to succeed in both. The mentality of the team is such that we want to win these games as well. Freiburg are passionate about their game and have an excellent mentality. I'm looking forward to the game."
Christian Streich (SC Freiburg): "I really hope that we play with as much energy and passion as we did last time and that we’re ready to work hard again. I'm certainly convinced that the team will be able to give absolutely everything. If Bayern are in very good form on Saturday, they'll give us a good thrashing. But maybe we can also keep the game open for a longer period. We want to take the game to Bayern with a decent amount of confidence. We believe we can do that."
Top fact
Robert Lewandowski is unstoppable at the moment and, with his golden goal in the 1-0 win in Bremen recently set a new personal record of an incredible 31 goals in one season. The possibility of another goal against Freiburg on Saturday is also anything but impossible - the Pole is a true Freiburg expert: The 31-year-old has scored 15 goals in 15 Bundesliga clashes with SCF. No other player in the history of Germany's top tier has scored as often against the Breisgau team.
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