Bayern’s run of crucial games in the Bundesliga continues on Saturday as they go to Hoffenheim (kick-off at 15:30 CEST, coverage on fcbayern.com and in the app with our live text and free web radio), making it three straight fixtures against top-four opponents following the 2-2 draw at Borussia Dortmund and 5-0 win at Freiburg. Here’s all you need to know in our preview.
Check out the photos from final training on Friday:
Situation for Bayern
The big victory over Freiburg last weekend saw Bayern leapfrog them into second place on 19 points – just four behind surprise leaders Union Berlin. Julian Nagelsmann and his team now want to keep that going at Hoffenheim as they strive to regain top spot before the World Cup. “The flow is important to put Union under pressure and if possible be back where we want to be for the winter break,” the 35-year-old said at his Friday press conference. Form is certainly on Bayern’s side, having won five of their six competitive fixtures since the September international break, with the 2-2 draw at Dortmund the only slip and also the only game where FCB have failed to score at least four goals (25 goals in total during that run).
Watch Nagelsmann’s press conference in full:
Opponents Hoffenheim
However, opponents Hoffenheim want to put an end to Bayern’s momentum. “We can make things tough for every opponent, so we’ll play with confidence,” said TSG coach Andre Breitenreiter, whose side sit fourth and within striking distance of the champions with 17 points from 10 games. The last time the Sinsheim club had more at this stage was six years ago (20), when a certain Julian Nagelsmann was in charge. In any case, Breitenreiter doesn’t want to overstate his team’s good position at this stage of the season, but believes his team are on a good path. “If we keep going like this, we’ll keep getting good results and establish ourselves up there,” the 49-year-old added. “That’s why I’m relaxed for Saturday and facing a top opponent like that.”
Here's 5 stats and facts on the game:
Fitness update
Kingsley Coman is available again after serving a Bundesliga suspension. However, Bayern will be without Thomas Müller due to a stomach bug, while captain Manuel Neuer (shoulder) and Leroy Sane (thigh) are still out. Bouna Sarr remains on the sidelines, but Lucas Hernandez was able to train with the ball again for the first time on Friday since his muscle tear in September.
More info on the fitness of players:
The home side remain without Ihlas Bebou, Luca Philipp and Fisnik Asllani, as well as the suspended Kevin Vogt. Ermin Bicakcic and Benjamin Hübner are also both unavailable due to a lack of match fitness. Andrej Kramaric (ankle) and Pavel Kaderabek (calf) are doubts.
What the coaches say
Julian Nagelsmann: “It’s a special game. They’re a club close to my heart. I spent nine very nice years there. They’re always demanding games there. Hoffenheim are very solid and have clear patterns on the ball with Andre Breitenreiter. They’re a team who play out from the back with a lot of courage. Pressing isn’t that easy. You need to be extremely sharp. It all plays its part in a good away day.”
Andre Breitenreiter (Hoffenheim head coach): “We want to build on the recent games, even if the opponent this weekend is of a different quality than Schalke. We want to advance the process and play with courage. The game will show how far we are. The opponent will definitely show us things we need to keep working on. We want to play exciting football and do well in front of a sold-out stadium.”
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