Between title celebrations and cup final: Maximum energy and focus for Köln

FC Bayern wrap up their Bundesliga campaign by hosting 1. FC Köln at their home ground, the Allianz Arena, on Saturday (live text and free Web Radio commentary from 15:30 CEST on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). The clash with the Billy Goats marks the start of a weekend of celebrations for the Munich side featuring the Meisterschale presentation and a party with the fans at Marienplatz on Sunday (all the details), whilst also serving as a dress rehearsal for next week’s DFB Cup final against VfB Stuttgart. Find out how head coach Vincent Kompany’s team are approaching this task in our preview.

The best photos from Friday’s final training session:

Latest news from FC Bayern

FC Bayern are looking forward to the upcoming weekend with great anticipation. “You always start the season hoping to lift the trophy again. Now the time has come and we’ll make the most of the moment. This isn’t just for us, but also for everyone who has supported us throughout the season,” said head coach Vincent Kompany at the pre-match press conference ahead of the final Bundesliga home game against 1. FC Köln. Following an extraordinary season, the Munich side will be presented with the silver Meisterschale after the match against the Billy Goats. “We’ve broken numerous records – so many great players and great teams have played here – so this is certainly something special. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved,” said board member for sport Max Eberl.

Read the key statements from the press conference with Vincent Kompany and Max Eberl here:

At the same time, however, Bayern’s focus remains sharp, with a major final still to come in a week’s time. “We’re absolutely determined to win the cup – only then can we properly assess the season,” said Eberl. Kompany also wants to wait before drawing any conclusions: “We’ve won a lot, experienced a lot of emotions and seen many players take steps in their development. But we still have the cup final, which is very important for us.”

Generally speaking, FC Bayern’s mindset is to aim to win every encounter. “You always have to be mentally prepared for every match. We don’t believe there’s such a thing as an ‘easy game’! There’ll be 75,000 people there with their children, and they’ll all be looking forward to the game – so everything has to go right,” stressed Kompany.

The facts on the clash with Köln:

The opposition: 1. FC Köln

1. FC Köln already achieved their target for the season of avoiding the drop ahead of the final matchday. With that weight off their shoulders, the Billy Goats can play with freedom in Munich. “It’s a huge opportunity for us to gauge ourselves against the best. The most special thing about FC Bayern is that you can have a very good game and still lose. We already experienced that in the reverse fixture and in the cup. We want to give it our all and put in a good performance,” said Köln interim coach René Wagner. In both the DFB Cup and the league, Bayern managed to win away at Köln despite going 1-0 down. FCB head coach Kompany expects hungry opponents: “Köln have nothing to lose; they’re safe and happy. But a match at the Allianz Arena is like a cup final; every player will be glad they don’t necessarily need three points – but it’s still a major ambition for every player to win here.”

We took a look at our opponents in our opposition profile:

Team news

Bayern will be without Serge Gnabry (torn adductor muscle in his right thigh) and Alphonso Davies (muscle injury). According to Kompany, Leon Goretzka, who is leaving FC Bayern at the end of the season, will be in the starting XI. “This isn’t a gift; he’s earned it through years of service to this club,” said the FCB head coach. The boss already revealed earlier today that Manuel Neuer will be in goal.

Köln will be without Ragnar Ache (muscle injury), Tom Krauß, Luca Kilian and Timo Hübers (all with knee problems).

Test your knowledge of the fixture in our Matchday Quiz:

What the coaches say

There was some great news ahead of the weekend’s title celebrations: