There are a number of subplots before kick-off – and no doubt even more afterwards – as Bayern host RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena on Saturday (kick-off at 18:30 CEST, coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our live text and free web radio). It’s first against third with the Bundesliga title very much on the line for the league leaders. A fitting backdrop for the final home game of this season, where Bayern will also debut their new home jersey. Here’s everything you need to know on this big clash, plus what’s needed from Borussia Dortmund, in our preview.
📸 Check out the best photos from final training on Friday, including a very special guest:
State of play for Bayern
The goal for Thomas Tuchel’s team is to apply pressure. Victory on Saturday evening against a top Leipzig side will see Bayern go four points clear of Dortmund at the top of the table. That would mean Borussia cannot afford to lose when they go to Augsburg on Sunday. Otherwise, Bayern will be champions again with a game to spare.
However, for there to be any talk of a title this weekend, Bayern need to follow up their three straight wins – including impressive 6-0 thrashing of Schalke last time out – and see off Leipzig. “The state of the table is not routine. We have a tough opponent ahead of us and need to watch out for their attacking players. That’s the key,” Tuchel said, before stressing: “Only a win will do for us tomorrow.” Maintaining Bayern’s unbeaten record at the Allianz Arena this season will be another bonus.
Find out more stats on the game against Leipzig:
The opponent: RB Leipzig
Leipzig also come to Munich with plenty to play for, arriving on the back of four straight wins in all competitions and looking to secure Champions League qualification. Their last-minute 2-1 win over Werder Bremen last week took Marco Rose’s side to 60 points in third place – one ahead of Union Berlin and four clear of Freiburg before their game on Friday. “They were struggling with their confidence in recent weeks, kept having problems, but are slowing getting back to their old strength. Now it’s our job to identify those problems of the past weeks again,” Rose said of Bayern in the build-up. He added: “You need to be courageous in Munich, convincing in every situation, both in attack and defence.”
Hear what Tuchel had to say in his press conference:
Personnel update
Bayern remain without Lucas Hernandez, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies (hamstring) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (knee) for the weekend. “All the others were in training and are ready,” Tuchel confirmed on Friday.
Leipzig are still missing first-choice goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. However, Dani Olmo has been back in training since Tuesday and is ready to feature after missing the Bremen game with a muscular injury. Germany international Timo Werner is a doubt with flu. “Anything’s possible, from starting to not being involved at all,” Rose explained.
Thomas Müller & Co. will wear their new home jersey for the first time in Leipzig:
What the coaches say
We know about Leipzig’s strengths. They generally play with four players in transition, including two strikers. It’s hugely important if we want to control the game to prevent their counters before they can happen. We have to be focused in our build-up play. If we go into the attacking zones freely and aggressively, then we need to cover ourselves. We want to let as many players as possible attack. It’s a strength of ours to develop impetus.
Thomas Tuchel
Bayern are a top team with lots of good individual players. They always have a good coach on the touchline who tries to get the best out of them as a team and in terms of group tactics. They also present many challenges: Their impetus, their moves in behind, the way they move it around in the middle – we have to defend all of that, but also look for our chances in attack. You can’t just let Bayern overwhelm you. We have to always get the ball.
Marco Rose (RB Leipzig head coach)
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