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Busy weeks in store
Thu, 06/02/25, 18:57
Will it be seven in a row? FCB fully focused on Werder Bremen
It's the start to a very busy February! FC Bayern host SV Werder Bremen at the Allianz Arena on Friday evening (kick-off at 20.30 CET, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio) on Bundesliga Matchday 21. It's the start of a very important phase. After winning their last six league games in a row, the men from Munich will be looking to consolidate their lead at the top of the table with a home win. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our preview.
The photos from the final training session on Thursday:
The situation for FC Bayern
Bremen, Celtic, Leverkusen, Celtic, Frankfurt, Stuttgart - FC Bayern's six remaining matches in February are certainly quite demanding. In the Champions League, Bayern are battling for a place in the last 16 in the play-offs against Glasgow Celtic, while in the Bundesliga, all the games are against opponents from the top half of the table who are competing for European spots. "We have some very, very important weeks ahead of us," said sporting director Christoph Freund in the pre-match press conference on Thursday ahead of the Bremen game. "I want to tackle these challenges. The fans are also looking forward to these games. We're always happy when we can play football. I can also feel that in the team," said FCB coach Vincent Kompany.
The men from Munich top the Bundesliga table with 51 points after 20 Matchdays and are enjoying their best season in nine years. They have a six-point lead over second-placed Bayer 04 Leverkusen. "We're not on a bad path, but we also know there's still work to do. We know what we've achieved so far, are keeping our composure and want to keep driving forward,"’ said Kompany. And they'll be aiming to do it in the next game at home to Bremen and secure their seventh league win in a row.
Read the key statements from the press conference with Vincent Kompany and Christoph Freund here:
The opponents: Werder Bremen
Werder are currently eighth in the table on 30 points and are within touching distance of the European spots. The northern Germans have been particularly impressive away from home this season and have already picked up 17 points from ten games on the road. "Werder are very stable, regularly pick up points and have a good chance of qualifying for Europe this year. Werder's path has been characterised by stability and continuity - this season could be the crowning glory," said former Werder and Bayern player Valérien Ismaël.
After an excellent run of three straight wins before the Christmas break, the new year got off to a bumpy start for Bremen. The first three games after the restart yielded just one point. Most recently, however, Werder were able to pick up points again at Dortmund (2-2) and against Mainz (1-0). However, the win against Mainz last week came at a high price: Defenders Marco Friedl and Niklas Stark were both sent off after being shown a second yellow card so will be suspended in Munich. Head coach Ole Werner, who was shown a straight red card against Mainz, will also not be able to sit in the dugout.
The facts on the clash against Werder:
Team news for FC Bayern vs. Werder Bremen
Bayern are still without Daniel Peretz (kidney contusion), Hiroki Ito (metatarsal fracture) and Alphonso Davies (muscle strain in the left hamstring). Ito was able to complete parts of team training again for the first time this week. Leon Goretzka is available again after a pulled muscle. According to Kompany, two players are struggling with a cold and their involvement is still in doubt..
Bremen head coach Ole Werner and defenders Marco Friedl and Niklas Stark are suspended. Werder will also be without Leonardo Bittencourt (thigh injury), Keke Topp (ligament rupture) and Julián Malatini (recovery training). New striker André Silva will be in the squad, but won't make the starting XI due to calf problems, according to Werner.
Legendary clashes between Bayern and Bremen:
What the coaches say
We're only focused on Bremen. They're very good away from home. We can only win one game tomorrow, and that's against Bremen. That has absolute priority.
Vincent Kompany
It's a big challenge, but we're well prepared. Our aim is to cause an upset. We know it won't be easy. We'll put in the best possible performance on the pitch.
Ole Werner (Werder Bremen head coach)
Good news: Phonzie is on the way back!
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