The stage is set for the Bundesliga's main event! League leaders FC Bayern visit fourth-placed RB Leipzig on Saturday evening (live text and free Web Radio commentary from 18:30 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). Thomas Tuchel's side will be looking to build on their recent strong performances and collect the next three points. Our preview has all the info on the match in Leipzig.
Here are the images from Friday's final training session:
The situation for Bayern
Bayern edged in front in the Bundesliga standings courtesy of the 7-0 thrashing of VfL Bochum last Saturday. With 13 points from five games, the Bavarians are top on goal difference ahead of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. They impressed again during the week with a comfortable 4-0 victory at Preußen Münster in the first round of the DFB Cup.
The German record champions can now make it a perfect week in Leipzig, but they face stiff opposition in RB, who have won the last two meetings between the teams. "We've been on a good run since the Supercup defeat, and now it's about backing that up," said coach Tuchel in Friday's press conference. "The mood is good, the mentality is right. The time has come to turn the tables. We have every chance of winning there, but it will certainly be difficult."
Catch up on all of Thomas Tuchel's key statements from the press conference here:
The opponents: RB Leipzig
After a 3-2 defeat to Leverkusen on opening weekend, Leipzig have won all their matches and are sitting in fourth place in the table with 12 points. Marco Rose's men are on a six-game winning run in all competitions. Last weekend they claimed a 1-0 win at Borussia Mönchengladbach, before battling to a 3-2 victory at Bundesliga 2 side SV Wehen Wiesbaden to book their place in the second round of the cup.
"Leipzig have a very strong squad," described Tuchel. "They've been playing automatically in a 4-4-2 for years, they've made up for their departures with a lot of quality and with a lot of speed in particular. They defend together, attack together - they're dangerous as a collective, very unified as a team. Leipzig are very clear in their structure and their processes."
The facts on the clash with the Saxons:
The team news for Leipzig vs. Bayern
Bayern are without Manuel Neuer, who was able to complete parts of team training for the first time again on Thursday, Matthijs de Ligt (knee knock) and Serge Gnabry (forearm fracture). Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim and Thomas Müller all returned to full training on Thursday having missed the trip to Münster with knocks, but according to Tuchel it remains to be seen how fit to play they are.
For Leipzig, Willi Orban (knee ligament tear), Dani Olmo (knee injury), El Chadaille Bitshiabu (ligament tear) and Timo Werner (back problems) are sidelined. Amadou Haidara is set to return to the squad after a muscle strain, though.
After his first goal for Bayern, summer signing Konrad Laimer is going into the match against RB Leipzig with plenty of momentum:
What the coaches say
We've been very focused and confident in the last few games. Now it's another step up. We know it's a difficult task, but we're confident enough to say we're going to Leipzig to win.
Thomas Tuchel
It's an important game. Bayern have more tempo and directness in their play again. It's going to be a tricky task but we're looking forward to it. We want to win the match, that's how we see ourselves.
Marco Rose (RB Leipzig coach)
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