You can only look forward to this match after SUCH a blistering start to the season. Following the magnificent wins over RB Leipzig (5-3) in the Supercup and Eintracht Frankfurt (6-1) in the Bundesliga opener, the Bayern camp are eagerly awaiting the first home match of the 2022/23 season against VfL Wolfsburg on Sunday evening (live text and free Web Radio from 17:30 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). The state of play, opposition, team news and coaches’ thoughts - it’s all here in the preview.
Find the images from the final training session on Saturday below:
The situation for FC Bayern
“We play a very high-speed game, especially in the final third due to having a lot of similar types of player, who like to play with each other and move a lot,” described head Julian Nagelsmann in relation to the exuberance that his team are currently displaying and carrying over into the stands. Eleven goals in two games against last season’s DFB Cup and Europa League winners underlines the impressive early form of the champions, who have now had over a week of training to prepare for Wolfsburg and their upcoming opponents. “In training this week we’ve again practised playing against opponents who defend deeper,” revealed the 35-year-old tactician, who’s expecting the Wolves to be brave and go for the win on Sunday.
Impressive record and goals guaranteed - all the stats on the clash with VfL:
The opponents: VfL Wolfsburg
The Lower Saxony club, who are coached by ex-Bayern boss Niko Kovac since this summer, have started the campaign with a 1-0 win away to Carl Zeiss Jena in the first round of the DFB Cup and a 2-2 draw against promoted side Werder Bremen. Going back to last season, the 2009 champions are unbeaten in five Bundesliga outings, including a 2-2 draw at home to Bayern on the final day. “We have a very young squad and we have to be tactically good and clever,” vice-captain Maxence Lacroix told the club’s website. “Then we’re capable of getting a good result.”
Watch Julian Nagelsmann’s pre-match press conference in full:
The team news for FC Bayern vs. VfL Wolfsburg
Bayern are still without Kingsley Coman, who serves the final match of his suspension for his red card against Stuttgart on Matchday 33 of last season, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (individual training after kidney stone operation) and Leon Goretzka (knee surgery). “The knee isn’t reacting at all, the healing process is going a bit more positively than we expected,” Nagelsmann said of his absent midfielder.
For the visitors, Yannick Gerhardt and Jonas Wind are ruled out due to injury, while Bartol Franjic and Kilian Fischer are doubtful.
What the coaches say
Julian Nagelsmann: “They have a very good team, a very good squad. I expect them in different lines and not to sit back. They’ll get in the game and want to win. I’m not expecting them to be wide open, but nor do I expect them to park the bus.”
Niko Kovac (Wolfsburg): “Like all top teams, they try to put the game to bed in the first 45 minutes. They go in with high power and high aggression in their pressing, which you have to stand up to. We have a few ideas for how to do that. We’ll also get opportunities, but more from the transitions than from steady build-up play.”
Bayern will wear their new Champions League kit for the first time against Wolfsburg:
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