It’s second ‘match point’ for FC Bayern in the Bundesliga title race. After the 2-1 defeat at Mainz two weeks ago, Hansi Flick’s team have a big opportunity to wrap up the championship with two games to spare in Saturday evening’s home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach (live text and free Webradio commentary from 18:30 CEST on fcbayern.com). We’ve rounded up everything you need to know on what could be a decisive Matchday 32.
See what happened in training on Friday in our gallery:
The situation for FC Bayern
Bayern go into the final three fixtures of the season with a seven-point lead and needing just one more win to lift the shield for the ninth year running. However, Flick and his players are not concerning themselves with such permutations. “We’re not asking ourselves the question of how many points we still need but rather how many are left to get – and we want to get them. That’s the difference between Bayern Munich and other clubs, and that’s why the players play here,” stressed the FCB coach in Friday’s press conference. He’s therefore fully focussed on victory against Borussia and won’t be distracted by RB Leipzig’s clash at Borussia Dortmund earlier on in the day (14:30 CEST). “The game in the afternoon does not interest me one jot,” commented Flick on the fact that his team could already be crowned as champions before kick-off against Gladbach if Leipzig lose. “We’re preparing for our game and that’s what the focus is on.”
Read about the other fixtures on Matchday 32 that are interesting from a Bayern view:
The opponents: Borussia Mönchengladbach
The visitors from North Rhine-Westphalia also still have big targets for this season. Borussia currently occupy seventh place, with European football in their sights. “We have to try to get the most out of these three matches,” demanded coach Marco Rose. The fact that Bayern did not seal their title defence at Mainz two weeks does not make the challenge any less for him. “Playing Bayern when they can be crowned champions at home after a defeat – that’s some job,” said the 44-year-old.
The team news for Bayern vs. Gladbach
Flick will have to do without Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting against Gladbach. “He’s had back problems since the start of the week, so he’ll have to sit out,” confirmed the 56-year-old. It’s also too soon for Corentin Tolisso to return after his tendon tear. “Coco is making good progress and can maybe be involved next week. He’s working hard.” Long-term absentee Douglas Costa (metatarsal fracture) remains sidelined as well.
Gladbach, meanwhile, are without Mamadou Doucouré (surgery after Achilles tear) and Torben Müsel (rehab).
Bayern are hoping to avenge the reverse fixture, when they lost 3-2 having led 2-0.
What the coaches say
Hansi Flick: “We have to do the things that we didn’t do well in the reverse fixture better tomorrow. Gladbach make it tight when you have the ball and then they have good pace and movement up front when they win the ball. They play good football, which starts with [Yann] Sommer and moves through to the attack. They also have tremendous quality there. They’ll demand everything of us and we need a top performance.”
Marco Rose (Borussia Mönchengladbach coach): “We’re only pleased with the performance when the result is also right. But of course, a performance always comes before that, and in Munich that has to be up to scratch. It’s going to be a big challenge for us playing there, especially since Bayern have the opportunity to be crowned champions at home.”
Read what else is important regarding the potential title clincher against Gladbach in the facts and figures:
Topics of this article