Time to demonstrate their might at home! After the narrow 2-1 win at SGS Essen, FC Bayern Women now face their next challenge. With three matchdays left in the FLYERALARM Women's Bundesliga, the league leaders from Munich take on TSG Hoffenheim at the FC Bayern Campus. The crunch match kicks off at 19:15 CEST on Friday, 12 May. The situation, pre-match quotes, team news - you'll find all the info in our preview.
The situation
The Munich side are unbeaten since the beginning of the year and have yet to drop a point at the Bayern Campus this season. The latest challenge for head coach Alexander Straus' team was provided by SGS Essen. In the end, however, the FCB women narrowly won the match thanks to goals from Lea Schüller (35') and Lina Magull (39'). However, Saki Kumagai was shown a straight red card for a foul as the last player, meaning the defender is suspended for the match against Hoffenheim on Friday evening. SGS Essen converted the resulting free-kick in the 61st minute to make it 2-1, which was the final score.
The opponents
In the final straight of the season, every point counts for TSG Hoffenheim. Head coach Stephan Lerch's side are neck-and-neck with Eintracht Frankfurt in the race to grab the last European spot. TSG are currently three points behind Eintracht in fourth place and are aiming to overtake the Eagles to secure their participation in Champions League qualification next season. Consequently, the team will be motivated to take all three points back to Hoffenheim from the FC Bayern Campus. In their last outing, Hoffenheim women thrashed Turbine Potsdam 6-1.
The statistics
The record from Bayern's point of view is impressive: In a total of 19 Bundesliga matches against TSG Hoffenheim, the Reds have won 14 times and have a goal difference of 44:16. The last time Hoffenheim took points off Bayern was in 2021. Bayern's Maximiliane Rall has been particularly prolific against her former club, with the Reds' number eight scoring in each of the last three games between the sides.
The team news
Long-term injurees Linda Dallmann (syndesmosis ligament tear), Giulia Gwinn (cruciate ligament tear) and Franziska Kett (shoulder injury) are not available against TSG Hoffenheim. Tainara is still out due to a muscular injury. In addition, Saki Kumagai is suspended for Matchday 20 after being shown a red card in the match against SGS Essen.
The pre-match quotes
Head coach Alexander Straus: "We were really good against TSG in the reverse fixture at Hoffenheim and also in the cup, but it'll be a different game on Friday. Hoffenheim are a very good team who play good football. Of course, it gives us confidence that we've already beaten them twice. But this game will be different and since our cup win Hoffenheim have enjoyed a strong period. I expect them to give it their all and it'll be a tough game."
Carolin Simon: "It's very important that we stay relaxed in spite of the table being so tight. Of course there's pressure on us, but we went into the training sessions having fun and being relaxed and we want to take that into the game against Hoffenheim, because that's when we play the best football we can. Basically, we're taking it one game at a time - we're 100 per cent focused on Hoffenheim and want to win this game 100 per cent. We're aware it won't be easy."
Fan information:
The upcoming FCB women's Bundesliga home match against TSG Hoffenheim is sold out, so please travel early and only with a booked ticket. As usual, there will be a free shuttle bus from the city centre to the FC Bayern Campus at 17:45 from the MSR stop Stachus as well as at 18:15 and 18:45 from the Nordfriedhof. At 21:30, the bus will return to Stachus via Nordfriedhof after the end of the match.
Fans can follow the match as usual on FC Bayern TV LIVE and, in Germany, on Magenta Sport as well as on Eurosport. For more information and exciting insights, visit the FC Bayern Women's website and social media channels.
Georgia Stanway interviewed in "Säbener 51":
Topics of this article