No Kane, but Neuer back: FC Bayern looking to build momentum for Real at Freiburg

They may already have one eye on Madrid, but first there's Freiburg to deal with: FC Bayern travel to eighth-placed SC Freiburg on Saturday (live text and free Web Radio commentary from 15:30 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app) - and will do so without striker Harry Kane. The England captain felt some discomfort in his ankle during training with the national team so will be rested in the Breisgau as a precautionary measure - but he should be ready for the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Real Madrid on Tuesday. "It's not great, I'd like to have him against Freiburg," explained head coach Vincent Kompany. Forward Nicolas Jackson is also not available, as he’s still serving out a suspension after being shown a red card in the game against Leverkusen.

The best photos from Friday's final training session:

Latest news from FC Bayern

Despite Kane's absence, Kompany can look forward to some positive news in terms of team selection. Captain Manuel Neuer is fully fit again: "Manu is one hundred per cent fit. What he's shown in training this week is right up there with his best," praised the coach. Alphonso Davies and Jamal Musiala are also back in the squad and are options for the coming busy weeks with midweek games, even if they're not necessarily expected to play a full 90 minutes or three times in a week. "We no longer have the luxury of that much choice. We have to win. And everyone has to deliver to the max," stressed Kompany.

The facts on the clash at SCF:

The coach is deliberately leaving the question of who will replace Kane in the centre-forward position in Freiburg open - also because he's waiting to see what he thinks after the final training session. "The interpretation of this role with us is very flexible. We can play with two strikers, with two number tens or with a number ten/nine profile. The nice thing is that we have enough attackers who can get into the box."

Even if the clash with Real Madrid glares like a floodlight over the week, Kompany has made it clear internally that, right now, Freiburg are the priority. "The game against Real is so huge - but as a coach you have to make it clear that Freiburg are the priority. We're not going to do anything new; it's put us in this position - we're still in all competitions, utilising the whole squad, and we'll keep doing that." The preparation has therefore been "exactly the same as every time previously." The thinking is that routines and processes will provide focus and create the next momentum.

Read the key statements from the pre-match press conference here:

The opposition: SC Freiburg

In sporting terms, the league leaders have a tricky task ahead of them. Freiburg have been particularly impressive at home thanks to their intensive game and power. "They're a team with intensity who are very, very strong at home. I count this game as one of the difficult ones in the league. We'll need a lot of strength and energy," said Kompany about the opponents. SCF are the only team apart from Bayern who are still involved in all three competitions. Next Thursday, they host Celta Vigo in the quarter-finals of the Europa League, and on 23 April the Breisgau Brazilians travel to VfB Stuttgart for a DFB Cup semi-final.

But the statistics clearly speak in favour of the record champions: of the last 20 competitive matches against Freiburg, they've lost just one. FCB are also unbeaten in 22 away matches in the league this season and, with 70 points from 27 games, are currently enjoying the third-best Bundesliga campaign in the club's history. With players such as Michael Olise, who was directly involved in five goals in the 6-2 win over Freiburg in the reverse fixture, and a fit-again Manuel Neuer behind them, Bayern will be looking to put themselves in the best possible starting position for the crucial season run-in at SCF. Kompany's message is clear: first Breisgau, then Bernabéu - and that means performing to the limit despite the absence of Harry Kane.

Check out our profile for a closer look at the upcoming opponents:

Team news

Nicolas Jackson is still suspended following a red card. Harry Kane (ankle) is being rested. All players are otherwise available, as Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies and Manuel Neuer have returned.

Freiburg will be without Daniel-Kofi Kyereh (rehab following ACL rupture) and Max Rosenfelder (thigh).

What the coaches say

Put your knowledge of the upcoming Bundesliga fixture to the test in our Matchday Quiz: