Bayern are looking to round out a busy week with three points at home to promoted Greuther Fürth on Sunday (kick-off at 3.30pm CET, live coverage with our text commentary and free web radio on fcbayern.com). On the back of last weekend’s defeat, Matchday 23 is about defending the six-point lead over Borussia Dortmund. Here’s everything you need to know on this Bavarian derby.
📸 Check out the best photos from final training on Saturday:
Situation for Bayern
It’s all about three points on Sunday for Julian Nagelsmann’s team. The German champions need to get back to winning ways after two disappointing away games this week, losing 4-2 in the Bundesliga at Bochum and drawing 1-1 at Salzburg in the Champions League. “It’s about bringing in a balance and minimising mistakes in possession,” the coach stated ahead of the game. “We definitely want to stabilise defensively again.”
However, the league leaders can always rely on their attack. Bayern scored in both Bochum and Salzburg, while the 70 goals FCB have got in the league is the most ever by a team after 22 matchdays in the Bundesliga. The Best FIFA Men’s Player, Robert Lewandowski, has played a big part in that, bagging a brace last time out at Bochum to take him onto 26 for the campaign and looking to break his own record of 41 from last season.
Here’s the best facts and stats on the Fürth game:
Opposition Greuther Fürth
This game is the second in a row for Bayern against a promoted club. Fürth may be bottom on 13 points and have the worst attack and defence in the division, but it should be noted that the Clover Leaves have picked up just one point fewer in 2022 (eight) than FCB (nine). It’s already more points than they got in the entire first half of the campaign (five). “We can definitely go into this game with confidence. We’ve created that. I hope we play with maximal power from the first minute to be an awkward opponent for as long as possible,” said Greuther head coach Stefan Leitl, who was born in Munich and made 25 appearances for the Bayern reserves after coming through the academy between 1987 and 1998. Timothy Tillman – the brother of Malik – and Julian Green are also former FCB players.
Player update
“If the checks come back positive, it’s just about weighing up whether he can be involved on Sunday,” Nagelsmann said at his Friday press conference about Jamal Musiala, who is a doubt after COVID-19. Three definite absentees are Manuel Neuer (knee operation), Leon Goretzka (knee problems) and Alphonso Davies (myocarditis).
Fürth can draw on the same players who beat Hertha Berlin 2-1 last time out. Marius Funk (knee), Gideon Jung (knee), Robin Kehr (knee) and Jessic Ngankam (match fitness) all miss out.
👥 Further information on Musiala and other injury concerns:
What the coaches say
Julian Nagelsmann: “Fürth have progressed very well. They’re a team who work really hard in defence and have a lot of changes of rhythm. They do the most sprints when the opposition has possession and often also have a lot of players in their own box. They’ve allowed one clear-cut chance fewer than us in the second half of the season. They’re very solid defensively right now. They had a tough first half of the season and have progressed well. We’re required and determined to play well on Sunday.”
Stefan Leitl (Greuther Fürth head coach): “We go to Munich with great excitement. It’s a highlight playing against Bayern in Munich. We have to be incredibly compact, need to run a lot. If we manage to get Bayern involved in challenges, then we can be really nasty.”
Watch and see what Nagelsmann had to say ahead of this Bavarian derby:
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