The second half of the season begins with a big game for FC Bayern. On Saturday evening (from 18:30 CET in our live text updates and free web radio on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app), the Bundesliga leaders welcome fourth-placed Eintracht Frankfurt to the Allianz Arena. The team coached by Julian Nagelsmann were 6-1 winners in the game in Frankfurt back in August. Find out more about the clash in this preview.
Here are the best photos from the final training session on Friday:
The situation for FC Bayern
Top of the table after the first half of the season, Bayern were well on target going into the second half, but draws in Leipzig (1-1) and against Köln (1-1) were not the ideal start coming out of the winter break. "We know we have to do things better and we will do better," explained coach Nagelsmann. Nevertheless, the mood in the squad after the restart was far from dark. "The boys are in a good mood and have trained well," remarked the 35-year-old, who now expects his team to pick up their first three points of the year with full commitment. "A run, good flow, it doesn't just happen like that," said Nagelsmann and demanded: "100% commitment," which includes "bringing the necessary physicality to the pitch." If his players heed these words, nothing should stand in the way of a home win against the SGE.
The most important comments from Julian Nagelsmann in the press conference:
The opponents Eintracht Frankfurt
Anyone who thought Eintracht reached their peak with the Europa League triumph last season is mistaken. In their debut Champions League season, the team from Hesse have reached the knockout stage and can look forward to the last 16 ties against Napoli in the spring. Domestically, the Eagles have established themselves as a top team in the Bundesliga and they have good prospects in the DFB Cup (7 February against Darmstadt 98). With 31 points, Frankfurt had their best first half of the season in almost 30 years, and have amassed a strong 11 points in the last five Bundesliga games.
But the people in charge aren't satisfied yet: "Fourth place after the first half of the season is OK. But you can see we still have to improve,” said SGE sports director Markus Krösche after the 1-1 draw at SC Freiburg, where Eintracht failed to record a shot on target in the second half for the first time this season. Coach Oliver Glasner is certain this won't happen again in the big game at the Allianz Arena: "We're going to Munich with great enthusiasm. We're going to do everything we can to win there."
Matches with Eintracht have made for many a memorable moment:
Team news
Long-term injury absentees Sadio Mané, Bouna Sarr, Lucas Hernández, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Neuer are unavailable for selection going into the second half of the season. In addition, the Munich side are without Leon Goretzka in the short term: "He's out. He has thigh problems. I don't want to take any risks," revealed Nagelsmann.
For Frankfurt, regular goalkeeper Kevin Trapp, who had to sit out last match because of a cold, is likely to return between the posts: "Kevin is fit and he's going to Munich," confirmed Glasner on Friday. The recently injured Kristijan Jakić (knee) and Christopher Lenz (finger injury) are also options, but there is still a question mark over Makoto Hasebe (cough).
All the facts about the meeting with the Hessians:
What the coaches said
Frankfurt have great quality and very good physicality, it will be similar to Leipzig and Cologne. They're having an outstanding season. They lost some players who were important to them, but managed to integrate new players well. They have clear processes, always very good basic order with variety in the level of attack. We need the physicality as well, part of our commitment is to bring the necessary physicality onto the pitch.
Julian Nagelsmann
They have the best attack and defence in the league. If we're going to beat them, everything has to work. We're well prepared, but we won't be able to prevent them from creating chances, they're too good for that. There are easier tasks. The goal is still to win in Munich.
Oliver Glasner (Eintracht Frankfurt coach)
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