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Bayern’s objective for Saturday’s game at home to Heidenheim is quite simply to win three points. The Matchday 13 encounter in the Bundesliga kicks off at 3.30pm 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 at the Allianz Arena.
Check out the photos from final training on Friday:
Latest news from Bayern
Bayern suffered a blow during the week as they were beaten 1-0 by Bayer Leverkusen and knocked out of the DFB Cup in the round of 16. The result aside, it was a good performance from the Bavarians, who were the better team on the whole, despite playing over 70 minutes with 10 men after Manuel Neuer’s red card. “We’ve had lots of good games, really good energy on the pitch. I feel we’re on track, even if we didn’t get a good result on Tuesday,” said sporting director Christoph Freund at Friday’s press conference.
Head coach Vincent Kompany has also turned his attention to the future: “From Wednesday, the only important thing was Heidenheim. We’re first in the Bundesliga and want to stay there. That’s where all my energy’s going. That’s my priority. Everything else is done and you can’t change it.” That means three points are a must against Heidenheim if Bayern want to maintain their solid lead at the summit. With 12 games played, the Reds have a four-point advantage over Eintracht Frankfurt in second.
Read more from Freund and Kompany at Friday’s press conference:
Opponent: Heidenheim
Heidenheim enjoyed an impressive maiden campaign in the Bundesliga following their historic promotion in 2023. They went on to finish eighth and quality for the Conference League. Frank Schmidt’s side also started this season well, earning nine points from their first five Bundesliga outings. However, they have managed just one point from their last seven games, losing 4-0 at home to Frankfurt last time out. “What Heidenheim have done in the last 20 years speaks for itself. They’re a very sound club. They won’t be panicking now,” Kompany said of the opposition.
From village club to Europe – the story of Heidenheim’s remarkable rise:
Team news
Kompany confirmed on Friday that Neuer (ribs) and Serge Gnabry (knee) will both miss this game. Harry Kane (hamstring), João Palhinha (muscular), Hiroki Ito (metatarsal) and Josip Stanišić (knee) are also still sidelined.
Heidenheim come to Munich without Julian Niehues (knee) and Marvin Pieringer (ankle), while there’s also a doubt over Mikkel Kaufmann.
Read up on the facts ahead of the game:
What the coaches say
Before I became a coach, there was a documentary about coaches in Germany. They were in the 3. Liga at the time. I was impressed by how Frank Schmidt led the club, with so few members of staff. I say that with great respect. You can't make a big difference between someone like him and the biggest coaches in Europe. There's a lot of stability and I have great respect for it all.
Vincent Kompany
You don’t get tougher than this. But still, I want to see everyone playing this game with every fibre of their body and mental energy. Then you can see what's possible for us.
Frank Schmidt (Heidenheim)
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