FC Bayern visit Eintracht Frankfurt for Matchday 6 in the Bundesliga looking to keep ahead of their second-placed hosts at the top of the table on Sunday (kick-off at 5.30pm CEST, live text commentary and free web radio on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.
Check out the photos from final training on Saturday:
Latest from Bayern
After winning their first six games of the season under Vincent Kompany, Bayern suffered their first slip last weekend with a 1-1 draw at home to Bayer Leverkusen. That was followed by an unlucky 1-0 loss away at Aston Villa in the Champions League on Wednesday. Although the results weren’t as desired, Max Eberl sees no reason to criticise the team’s recent performances. “The results weren’t what we’d imagined and weren’t the reward for the work we put in. The way we’ve played is what we want to build on,” said the board member for sport, who also pointed out that a lot in football is based on probability. “Leverkusen and Villa were both games where if we’d played it several times, we would win,” he added.
Yet regardless of whether the team is coming off the back of a win or a loss, what counts now is the next game, according to Kompany. “We can take a lot from it. That needs to be the foundation for success in the next game,” the Belgian stated, as backed up by Eberl: “When we show our quality on the pitch, with the willingness to go to 100 percent, then we’ll win and remain top of the table. That’s the goal.”
Read more from Kompany and Eberl from the pre-match press conference:
Opponent: Eintracht Frankfurt
Frankfurt are enjoying some of their best form in a long time. Following their opening 2-0 defeat away at Borussia Dortmund, they have won four Bundesliga games on the spin for the first time in four years. Their haul of 12 points from five matches is also their best at this stage since 2012/13, when they actually had 13 points on the board. And for added motivation, the Eagles come into this game knowing that a win will take them above Bayern to the Bundesliga summit, where they haven’t been since Matchday 2 of the 1999/2000 season, some 25 years ago.
“We can obviously read what will happen if we win. The chance to take first place is extra motivation. But we’re not going into Matchday 34 or even going into Matchday 2. It’s special for the club and for us as a team to reignite that delight again,” said Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmöller. His team will also take additional confidence from their 3-1 win away at Besiktas in the Europa League during the week. “I think it’s the biggest challenge there is right now. But we feel capable of hurting this powerful opponent,” the former Bayern assistant coach added.
Read up on the facts ahead of the game:
Team news
As well as the suspended Sven Ulreich, Bayern also head to Frankfurt without Jamal Musiala due to a hip issue. Long-term absentees Hiroki Ito (metatarsal), Josip Stanisic and Sacha Boey (both knee) are all still sidelined.
Eintracht have an almost fully fit squad at their disposal. Oscar Hojlund is the only player definitely missing with a broken metatarsal. Toppmöller also refused to be drawn on whether captain and first-choice goalkeeper Kevin Trapp would be back in time following a thigh injury.
What the coaches say
It’s always a special game in Frankfurt. They’re good on the counter, have lots of young players and lots of talent and potential to grow. But on the other hand, it’s a normal game for us. We want our points and to keep going in the Bundesliga.
Vincent Kompany
We ourselves and Bayern know that it has never been easy for them in this stadium. We’re expecting a big fight where we’ll need to display great ability to suffer.
Dino Toppmöller (Eintracht Frankfurt)
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