FC Bayern round off the Matchday 22 action in the Bundesliga on Sunday with a trip to Bochum (kick-off at 17:30 CET, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game.
Check out the best photos from final training on Saturday:
State of play
It’s probably not an exaggeration to say that this has not been a good week for Bayern. Wednesday’s narrow defeat away at Lazio has made progress to the Champions League quarter-finals tough for Thomas Tuchel’s side, coming just says after the 3-0 loss away at Bayer Leverkusen that left the Munich side five points off the top. This third away game in the space of nine days should now bring a turnaround to fortunes. “The mood is down, but everyone’s eager to turn around the mood,” Tuchel said at his press conference on Saturday. “I’m sure we’ll bring the energy tomorrow to begin that turnaround.”
Bayern are therefore entering a key period. Only wins will help in the coming games to maintain the pressure on leaders Leverkusen and remain in Europe. “Giving up isn’t an option, neither in the title race nor in the Champions League,” added a bullish Tuchel. “Maybe it will give us the kick we need. You have to pull yourself out of it, draw strength from it and see it as a challenge.”
Read more from Tuchel at his press conference:
Opponent: Bochum
Bochum held Eintracht Frankfurt to a 1-1 draw last weekend, which has been the story of their season somewhat. Their total of 10 draws this season is the most of any team in the Bundesliga and proves that the Ruhr club are very tough to beat. In fact, they have lost only seven out of 21 games, which is their lowest total at this stage of a Bundesliga campaign for 20 years. Bochum are particularly good at home, where they are unbeaten in their last seven.
The bottom line of all those ties is that they’ve struggled to climb the table and have spent all but two weeks in 14th place since November. The gap to the relegation zone is six points. Coach Thomas Letsch didn’t want to hear any talk of another draw on Sunday: “To say beforehand that a point is fine, that’s not enough for me. Our goal, especially at home, is to win every game. On a good day, we’re capable of annoying any team. But we also know things can turn bad when Bayern get going.”
Read up on the facts ahead of the game:
Team news
Bayern head to Bochum without Sacha Boey, who suffered a hamstring injury during the week and will miss “the next few games”, according to Tuchel. The 50-year-old also confirmed that none of the other recently injured players will return in time for this game. It means there’s still no Kingsley Coman (MCL), Bouna Sarr (ACL), Serge Gnabry (muscular), Konrad Laimer (calf) and Alphonso Davies (MCL). The latter two did take a step closer to their comeback on Saturday, with Davies completing an intense session of sprints and Laimer also working with the ball.
New signing Sacha Boey is out injured:
Bochum are without the suspended Matus Bero due to five yellow cards. Goalkeepers Michael Esser and Niclas Thiede, as well as defender Mohammed Tolba, are also injured.
What the coaches say
We’re expecting a tough opponent who’s got good results at home of late with a very physical style. Bochum haven’t conceded many goals recently and have played very well. It’ll be a hard-fought game.
Thomas Tuchel
We’re up for this game. It’s my first home game in charge against Bayern. It’s even nicer at home, under the lights, a special atmosphere. We believe in ourselves and are convinced of ourselves.
Thomas Letsch (Bochum)
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