It has been a long three months for the FC Bayern Women, but Jens Scheuer's side finally return to action on Saturday when they host third-placed Hoffenheim for the restart and Matchday 17 of the Flyeralarm Women's Bundesliga on Saturday at 1 pm CEST. The game will take place under strict hygiene regulations and behind closed doors.
"Very well prepared"
"We're looking forward to the start of the Bundesliga this weekend and we're very well prepared. Obviously, the preparation for the quarantine week was a little different to usual, but we've accepted the situation well as a team in the past few days and weeks, and coped with it together," said head coach Scheuer about the preparation. "If we beat Hoffenheim at home on Saturday, we take an important step forward," the coach added. Bayern lost 1-0 after an own goal in the return fixture and hope to even things out this time around.
Jovana Damnjanovic ready for the top game.
"We're definitely ready for Saturday and happy things are finally going to continue. We know how important the game against Hoffenheim is. We expect a tough game against a very good team. Hoffenheim have tremendous qualities and they showed how strong they are in the first half of the season," said Jovana Damnjanovic about the situation, adding: "But we are Bayern, we have big plans and we want to win the game."
"Nothing to be won" for Hoffenheim
Teammate Laura Benkarth agreed: "We're well prepared for the game against Hoffenheim. It won't be easy, you can see TSG are playing a great season and are very well drilled. They play forward quickly, have a good combination game and are calm on the ball." But the goalkeeper finished with an announcement: "We have to show them right from the start that we are playing here at home and that there is nothing to be won here on Saturday!" FC Bayern Women have won 11 times in 15 meetings so far. Hoffenheim have been victorious twice, each time by a 1-0 scoreline.
Kathrin Hendrich and Simone Boye in training during the quarantine week at the FC Bayern Campus.
Striker Gielnik misses out
Jens Scheuer has a large matchday squad available. Only Australian striker Emily Gielnik will definitely miss out due to a muscle injury. Other players have minor muscular problems. "Since the beginning of training last week, one or two players have suffered minor injuries. Some players are doubts for Saturday's match. Therefore, the team is not entirely available to us, but our squad is very strong and broad, so we're definitely ready for Saturday," said Scheuer before the match.
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