The first home fixture of the new Bundesliga season is here! FC Bayern welcome Bavarian neighbours FC Augsburg to the Allianz Arena on Sunday afternoon (live text and free Web Radio commentary from 17:30 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). The aim for the 25th Bundesliga meeting with the Fuggerstädter is clear: a second win in the second game of the season. Our preview has all the key information.
The state of play for Bayern
The Reds have made a perfect start in their bid for a 12th successive league title. Thomas Tuchel's side claimed a convincing and clear 4-0 win at Werder Bremen in the opener last weekend, and they're now looking to pick up from that in their first Bundesliga home game. "We've had a long week, which we've used for a lot of intensive training," said Tuchel in Friday's press conference, who also highlighted the defensive performance against Bremen. "In our overall defending, also in our organisation and compactness, there was a signficant step forward. We want to build on that."
Read the key statements from Tuchel's pre-Augsburg press conference here:
The opponents: Augsburg
It's been a turbulent start to the campaign for Augsburg. In their home match against Borussia Mönchengladbach, Enrico Maaßen's side came from 3-1 down to lead 4-3, but in the end had to settle for a 4-4 draw after conceding a stoppage-time penalty. A week earlier, FCA were knocked out 2-0 in the first round of the DFB Cup by third-tier outfit SpVgg Unterhaching. "If you just park the bus it's also dangerous, but you can't attack non-stop either. It's about the balance," stated coach Maaßen on Friday. "We want to play our game, be annoying. That's the only way to get a result there."
The facts on the clash with FCA:
The team news for Bayern vs. Augsburg
Bayern will again be without long-term absentees Manuel Neuer and Raphaël Guerreiro on Sunday. Jamal Musiala, who sustained a hamstring strain this week, will also miss out.
Augsburg must do without Patric Pfeiffer due to suspension. Robert Gumny (stomach problems), Rubén Vargas and Nathanaël Mbuku (both ill) are doubtful. Arne Maier and Irvin Cardona are available again, though.
What the coaches say
Augsburg have changed the style a bit. They place more emphasis on passing and possession, and they’ve changed their formation. They play a very high press, we expect partly man-to-man marking and a mix of a team who are strong on the counter and combination play. We’ll need answers and we’re preparing the team for that.
Thomas Tuchel
Bayern have extraordinary quality. We need a perfect day in every department. You have to be willing to suffer, you need the courage and the belief to be able to get something there.
Enrico Maaßen (FC Augsburg)
New signing Daniel Peretz completed his first training session as a Bayern player on Saturday:
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