On Sunday afternoon (live text and Webradio commentary from 15:30 CET on fcbayern.com), FC Bayern will be looking to extend an impressive record. In their 20 home matches against upcoming opponents SC Freiburg, the German record champions are unbeaten and have only failed to win on three occasions. However, the Black Forest club are travelling to Munich full of confidence – read everything you need to know about the match in our preview.
The situation for FC Bayern
Despite a strong start, Bayern went down 3-2 at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 15 and suffered only their second defeat of the season. They’ll be aiming to return to winning ways now against Freiburg.
It’s been a week to forget for Bayern. After losing 3-2 at Borussia Mönchengladbach on Matchday 15, the Reds were unfortunately knocked out of the DFB Cup on penalties at Holstein Kiel in midweek. Thankfully, the defeat last weekend did not prove too costly as nearest challengers RB Leipzig also lost, meaning Bayern remain two points clear at the top.
“We’re looking forwards now and want to prepare for the game against Freiburg as best we can,” stated Hansi Flick on Friday, looking to put the disappointment of the previous seven days behind him. “Top teams are defined by bouncing back quickly when things don’t go as well. We want to start that straight away!”
A look back over some memorable meetings with Freiburg from the past:
The opponents: SC Freiburg
Freiburg are the form team in the Bundesliga at the moment, with 17 points from their last seven matches – ahead of Bayern on 14. “We’re making good progress and we’re going to Munich to show again that we’re in really good form at the moment,” declared head coach Christian Streich, whose side have climbed from 14th to eighth in the table in recent weeks.
That brilliant run has put the Baden-Württemberg side within touching distance of the Europa League places – but in Freiburg they’re well aware of how quickly things can change in football. “Our primary objective is survival, and until we’ve achieved that objective, there’s no reason to start dreaming or relaxing,” said midfielder Nicolas Höfler.
Team news, tactics & more: Watch Hansi Flick's pre-match press conference in full:
The team news for Bayern vs. Freiburg
There’s positive news on the personnel front: Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Leon Goretzka and Kingsley Coman are all fit again after having to sit out the cup tie in Kiel. “All three are available. They trained today, it’s looking very good,” revealed Flick in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
As for the visitors, as well as long-term absentees Janik Haberer (ankle) and Mark Flekken (elbow), they will also be without Changhoon Kwon (fibula). Jonathan Schmid is a major doubt with a muscular problem.
See the best images from Bayern’s final training session on Saturday:
What the coaches say
Hansi Flick: “It will be a fierce contest, as Freiburg are renowned for. They’re in the best form in the league at the moment, they’re scoring a lot of goals. It comes down to how we defend. We need to digest the disappointment, put it to one side and make the best of the situation. Top teams are defined by bouncing back quickly when things don’t go as well. We want to start that straight away!”
Christian Streich (Freiburg): “Bayern will obviously expend all their energy to beat us, that much is clear. But we’re in good form, we’re doing well, we’re making good progress and we’re going to Munich to show again that we’re in really good form at the moment. If we manage to be brave and strong in the challenges, to have good shape and think quickly, then we have a chance of succeeding in Munich too.”
For more on the home match against Freiburg, check out the facts and figures:
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