Full spead ahead in the home stretch of the season! May begins for FC Bayern with an away match against Werder Bremen on Saturday evening (live text and free Web Radio from 18:30 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app), where the Reds will be aiming to stay ahead of rivals Borussia Dortmund in the title race. Our preview has all the key info on the clash.
The state of play for Bayern
On the last matchday, Bayern took advantage of Dortmund dropping points at Bochum (1-1) by beating Hertha BSC 2-0 at home to reclaim top spot. With a one-point lead over BVB in second, the German record champions again have their title defence in their own hands. "It's a close title race. We're now in the position to edge ahead, but we must edge ahead," demanded head coach Thomas Tuchel. "We can't afford any more ups and downs."
Having surrendered the lead in the table twice over the last six matchdays, the Munich men will be hoping there'll be no further changes at the top. For that they need a win in Bremen on Saturday evening. "The door's open, but we have to go through it ourselves," stressed Tuchel, who also accepted responsibility himself. "We're doing everything to win the next game. That's the job when you're at Bayern." He expects his players "to focus on their own performance but also allow themselves to be relaxed".
Watch Thomas Tuchel's press conference in full below:
The opponents: Werder Bremen
In their away match at fellow promoted side Schalke 04 last Saturday, many Bremen fans hoped that their Bundesliga status was secure as the game entered the closing stages. 12th-placed Werder were 1-0 up until the 80th minute, but two late goals meant SVW left empty-handed – as has often been the case this season. Ole Werner's side have thrown away no fewer than 19 points from winning positions, the most in the league after Augsburg (23).
In what has largely been a campaign free of worries, the Green-Whites have somewhat run out of steam towards the end of the season, collecting just five points from their last eight matches. "We're conceding too many goals, even though we're defending okay as a team and haven't given too much away," stated Werner, reflecting on the fact his side have conceded at least twice in each of those eight games. However, the latest setback at Schalke has been "put to bed", as defender Christian Groß described on the club website, and the focus is fully on the meeting with Bayern: "We're going into the game on Saturday, giving 120 percent and want to win."
The facts on the fixture:
The team news for Werder Bremen vs. Bayern
Along with long-term absentees Lucas Hernández and Manuel Neuer, Dayot Upamecano (muscle strain) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (knee) are still unavailable for selection. Josip Stanišić is also out for the short term with an "adductor strain", as Tuchel revealed in Friday's press conference. With Leon Goretzka also absent due to suspension, the Bayern boss described his squad as "decimated".
According to Bremen coach Werner, the hosts will again be without the Bundesliga's top scorer Niclas Füllkrug (16 goals), who's sidelined by a calf problem. In addition, Dikeni Salifou (foot) and Felix Agu (surgery on patellar tendon) are out, while Eren Dinkci (foot) is doubtful.
What the coaches say
In an evening match at the Weserstadion, there can always be a special atmosphere. We have to embrace that and be prepared for it, but also fight it. We have to stamp our game and build on the things we did well against Hertha. Bremen always look to hit on the counter, so we’ll need to be very alert. We need to decisive in our tackling in defence.
Thomas Tuchel
When you as Werder Bremen – a promoted team in the Bundesliga – play against Bayern Munich – one of the top teams in Europe, record champions, league leaders – not too many bank on you. Nevertheless, with a bit of luck and if the opponents don’t have the best day, you can get into a position where you can come away with something. We have to look for our chances, and be awkward and in their faces.
Ole Werner (SV Werder Bremen coach)
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