A crunch game for FC Bayern Women! On Friday, 2 December, at 19:15 CET, FCB kick off Matchday 9 of the FLYERALARM Women's Bundesliga away to TSG 1899 Hoffenheim. The situation, the coach's assessment, team news - get it all here in our preview.
The situation for FC Bayern
Head coach Alexander Straus' team extended their flawless home record last Sunday, winning 2-0 against SGS Essen with goals from Lina Magull and Franziska Kett. They remain just one point behind second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, so a win at TSG would see FCB leapfrog Eintracht at least overnight. Frankfurt face league leaders VfL Wolfsburg on Saturday.
But Bayern need to be on their guard, as TSG have been in fantastic form for weeks. Hoffenheim's last defeat dates back to September, when they went down 2-1 to reigning champions Wolfsburg. With 16 points from eight games, the women from the Kraichgau region are in fourth place, three points behind FCB.
The stats
FCB have won 15 of the 20 games against Hoffenheim in the league and cup so far. In contrast, TSG have recorded two draws and three wins. Bayern have also won on their last two trips to Hoffenheim, scoring four goals in each of them.
Team news for TSG Hoffenheim vs. FC Bayern
Injured quartet Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir (rehab following a muscular injury), Hanna Glas (knee surgery), Giulia Gwinn (cruciate ligament tear) and Jovana Damnjanović (torn hamstring) remain sidelined.
From the dressing room
Head coach Alexander Straus: "Hoffenheim are a good team, most of the players have been playing together for a while. They've established their style of play well, so we'll have to be at the top of our game. If we are, we'll be able to confront them with challenges that will be difficult for them to overcome. It could be an interesting game. Of course, we're aiming to win."
Klara Bühl: "It'll be important for us to be there from the first minute, to play our game and to take the strength we have in the team onto the pitch. That will allow us to challenge our opponents and, of course, turn the game to our advantage."
FCB Women take on Barcelona at the Allianz Arena next Wednesday (7 December):
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