FC Bayern visit VfB Stuttgart in Saturday evening's primetime clash on Matchday 23 (live text and free Web Radio from 18:30 CET on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). As usual, read how the Munich men intend to stay in first place in the Bundesliga table in our preview.
Here are the best photos from the final training session on Friday:
The situation for FC Bayern
With the 3-0 win over Union Berlin last Sunday, Bayern managed to keep one of their nearest challengers at a distance and gain a confidence boost – but the heat is still very much on in the title race. “We can’t give anything away in the Bundesliga. We don’t have a 10-point lead,” stated head coach Julian Nagelsmann in Friday’s press conference. With Borussia Dortmund, who are level on points, playing against RB Leipzig on Friday night, any dropped points could see the Bavarians lose top spot. “We’re going to give our all to get the three points,” demanded the 35-year-old. In these circumstances, the idea of resting key players for the crucial Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain next Wednesday is out of the question. It would make little sense “to take the sting out on Saturday” before such an important match, underlined Nagelsmann.
Watch the press conference with Nagelsmann in full:
The opponents: VfB Stuttgart
VfB were dragged deeper into the relegation battle on the last matchday with a 2-1 defeat to cellar dwellers FC Schalke 04. The Swabians are now separated from the relegation play-off place by just one goal. They’re relying on their home form to get them out of trouble – 15 of their 19 points this season have come at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, including 13 of the last 18 on offer at home. Incidentally, one of their few points on the road came in the 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture against Bayern at the Allianz Arena, but it’s not just that spirited display that gives VfB coach Bruno Labbadia hope that his side can hold their own against the best in the league. “Bayern are the team with the most quality in the league. Of course, as opponents you ned a perfect day, but we’re approaching the task with courage,” said the 57-year-old.
The facts on the match:
The team news for Bayern vs. Stuttgart
Dayot Upamecano returns to the Munich squad after his suspension. Noussair Mazraoui is also an option again after a lengthy absence, to the delight of his coach. “It’s good to have almost everyone on board for such a critical period,” explained Nagelsmann. That said, there is a question mark over Leroy Sané, who has a minor ankle injury. Nagelsmann confirmed he would wait until the final training decision before he made a decision. Long-term absentees Lucas Hernández and Manuel Neuer remain sidelined.
Stuttgart are without suspended Borna Sosa (five yellow cards), while defender Hiroki Ito (back) and goalkeeper Florian Müller (wrist) are doubts.
What the coaches say
Stuttgart didn’t get the result they wanted against Schalke, so there’ll also be a bit of anger there. Their last two games against us have gone more in VfB's favour. We need to be prepared for them giving everything. Bruno Labbadia will get them fired up, so we also need to be fired up.
Julian Nagelsmann
We’ve been working methodically on the pitch since Tuesday and shown the players in the video analysis what didn’t go well last time out but also what was good prior to that. We think in solutions. Against Bayern we firstly need a solid defence, and on the other hand we need to make our possession count and express ourselves.
Bruno Labbadia (VfB Stuttgart coach)
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