After elimination from the Champions League against Villarreal, FC Bayern now turn their full focus to winning their 10th Bundesliga title in a row as they go to Arminia Bielefeld on Sunday (kick-off at 15:30 CEST, coverage on fcbayern.com with our live text commentary and web radio). Julian Nagelsmann’s side want to continue their good recent run in the league and take a big step towards the title. Here’s everything you need to know about the game in our preview.
Check out the best photos from final training before leaving for Bielefeld:
Situation for Bayern
“We have to convert the sadness into some vigour,” Nagelsmann said at his press conference on Friday. “The key for the next weeks is that we move beyond joyous play. It’s about delivering.” After Borussia Dortmund claimed a resounding 6-1 win over Wolfsburg on Saturday afternoon, Bayern are looking to follow suit away at Bielefeld and maintain their nine-point lead on Sunday. That would set up a title decider up against BVB as they come to Munich next weekend. Victory there would see FCB crowned champions once again. “We have a clear mission of ideally winning the next two games and wrapping up the title,” Nagelsmann declared.
Check out the best facts on Sunday’s game at Bielefeld:
Opponents Arminia Bielefeld
Arminia’s final five games of the season are about fighting for every possible point to guarantee Bundesliga safety. They are currently in 17th place and the relegation zone spot on 26 points. The gap to VfB Stuttgart in the play-off spot directly above them is two points after their draw at Mainz. It’s three to Hertha Berlin in safety. Bielefeld have earned just one point from their last six games, which is the worst return in the league over that period. “They play with two or three different formations. Frank Kramer is relatively flexible there,” Nagelsmann said of his opposite number. “They cover the most distance of any Bundesliga team and contest the most challenges. They also have a relatively simply way of playing through the press, one or two very dangerous players in attack who can settle games by themselves.”
Re-watch Nagelsmann’s press conference in full:
Player update
Bayern are still without Niklas Süle (ill) and Corentin Tolisso (muscle strain) in Bielefeld. Lucas Hernandez and Kingsley Coman also both miss out with muscular problems after they were unable to train on Saturday and didn’t make the journey. But Bouna Sarr is once again a contender for the squad after overcoming his patella tendon problems.
Arminia are missing both Fabian Klos and Cedric Brunner with head injuries.
What the coaches say
Julian Nagelsmann: “The plan won’t be too complicated, more putting our foot down without really having to think. The goal is to win on Sunday and set up a title decider against Dortmund. I want to be champion and ideally in the next two games.”
Frank Kramer (Arminia Bielefeld): “Every team has weaknesses somewhere. Bayern maybe haven’t been as solid in defence of late as they were in previous years. If we play quickly and accurately, we’ll get chances.“
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