FC Bayern play their penultimate home game of the season on Saturday as they look to extend their 11-game winning run against Schalke to take a step closer to an 11th straight Bundesliga title, laying down a marker before Borussia Dortmund have the chance to play when the Royal Blues come to the Allianz Arena (kick-off: 15:30 CEST, coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our live text and free web radio). Here’s all you need to know about the game in our preview.
State of play for Bayern
As was the case last weekend, Bayern go first in the title race on Matchday 32, with Dortmund taking on Borussia Mönchengladbach in Saturday’s late game. However, that fact is of no importance to Thomas Tuchel: “With all due respect, I’m not taking any notice of Dortmund right now. We’re a point ahead and things are in our own hands. I’m looking at the finishing line and our team, and am totally focused on that,” the head coach said. After wins over Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen, his team now take on another opponent currently in the bottom half of the table. Regardless, another victory is a must in this tight title race to keep BVB at bay.
“We have the league to win. We have a huge amount to win and nothing to lose,” the 49-year-old appealed to his team. “Nobody is champion right now. We’re not either. That’s why we’re chasing the title.” Everyone now has to work towards that goal in the remaining three games. “Things now only work if we’re together. Everyone has to put their personal desires aside,” Tuchel stated. “It’s about finding an XI that harmonises and suits the opponent. Everyone who comes off the bench then has to bring that energy so we can achieve our goal of winning the title.”
Hear more from Tuchel at his press conference on Friday:
Opponent: Schalke
There’s perhaps no team right now more aware of the old cliché that a game isn’t over until the final whistle is blown than Schalke. After a goal in the 92nd minute against Werder Bremen earned them a 2-1 win on Matchday 30, the Royal Blues then snatched all three points a whole 12 minutes into added time thanks to Marius Bülter’s penalty in the 3-2 victory at Mainz last weekend. Those two last-minute triumphs have seen Schalke climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since Matchday 8 – and that’s despite the fact they were rock bottom with only nine points at the midpoint of the season.
“We’ve worked a lot in the last two games and also reclaimed some luck,” said Schalke head coach Thomas Reis, hoping that this momentum will perhaps help his team to turn around their recent record against Bayern. “It’s important to be serious and know we’ve got a chance to get something in Munich to achieve our own goal,” the 49-year-old said. However, he also warned: “Nobody would’ve thought a few weeks ago that was doable in Munich. Now everyone believes we can get something in Munich. That’s also a danger.”
Read up on the facts ahead of the game:
Personnel update
Leon Goretzka is available again following suspension, while Dayot Upamecano is also an option once more after his muscle strain. However, Lucas Hernandez, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies and Josip Stanisic all remain on the sidelines. Tuchel also confirmed at his press conference on Friday that Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting “won’t be involved” either.
Schalke’s injury list includes defender Moritz Jenz, goalkeepers Ralf Fährmann and Justin Heekeren, and forward Soichiro Kozuki.
What the coaches say
Their results have given Schalke an emotional boost. They’re the eighth-best team in the second half of the season. Their strengths are known, and we have to prepare for them. We have our own goals and want to put our mark on the game and turn it in our favour.
Thomas Tuchel
We’re going to Munich with respect. If Bayern get going, then it can be unpleasant. However, we have an objective. We’ve got ourselves into a good position. We have to use it and cause them problems.
Thomas Reis (Schalke head coach)
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