FC Bayern Women are away at Nürnberg for Matchday 10 of the 2023/24 Google Pixel Bundesliga campaign in the final league game of the year. Kick-off for the Bavarian derby at the Max-Morlock-Stadion is at 18:30 CET on Sunday. Tickets are still available.
State of play
Bayern are still where they want to be in the Bundesliga, unbeaten in 26 league fixtures and top of the table before the short trip to Nuremberg. Alexander Straus’s side claimed a 3-0 win at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the most recent league assignment. Magdalena Eriksson put FCB ahead at the Campus before two very good goals from Giulia Gwinn and Jovana Damnjanovic rounded things off.
The Bundesliga champions were in European action during the week but unable to earn more than a 1-1 draw at home to Ajax in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Thursday despite Lea Schüller’s early goal. However, Die Frauen remain top of the group standings and on course for the knockout stage.
Jovana Damnjanovic and Bayern had to settle for a 1-1 draw with Ajax on Thursday.
The opponent
Nürnberg are 11th in the table with four points after nine games. That includes one win over Freiburg on Matchday 5 (2-0). The promoted side have shown a number of times that they can be a tough opponent. Thomas Oostendorp’s team pushed Wolfsburg all the way before slipping to a 1-0 defeat. Last time out they earned a point with a goalless draw against RB Leipzig.
Personnel
Straus remains without long-term injury absentees Carolin Simon (cruciate ligament), Weronika Zawistowska (cruciate ligament) and Cécilía Rán Rúnarsdóttir (kneecap). The coach has also lost Klara Bühl (muscular) and Eriksson (metatarsal) over the last two games and will be without the pair into the new year.
Striker Pernille Harder is back in training after her knee injury. A decision on the Dane’s ability to play in Nuremberg will be made after final training.
Bayern want to lay down a marker in their first Bundesliga derby with Nürnberg.
Pre-match talk
Straus: “We’ve currently got a rhythm where we’ve got a lot of games. That can also be an advantage because you can use the momentum. We have to be ready for Sunday. We’ve got a lot of respect for Nürnberg. I’ve watched the team and they’ve really progressed over the season. If we play our way, we should be capable of winning and extending our run.”
Sydney Lohmann: “The game has a derby feel. I remember when I played against Nürnberg with the reserves. Those were feisty games. Nürnberg are in a relegation battle and have nothing to lose. Opponents like that are always awkward. But we’re looking forward to the game.”
Top facts
It’s the first time this derby will be played in the Women’s Bundesliga. Nürnberg were promoted to the top flight in the summer and now welcome Bayern for the first time. The Munich women have won their last 37 matches against promoted teams, with the last defeat coming in 2014.
This Bavarian derby also sees the Bundesliga’s best defence (Bayern with three goals conceded) take on the division’s weakest attack (Nürnberg with four goals scored). It means Sunday’s hosts have scored as many goals this campaign as Bayern’s top scorer Damnjanovic.
Bayern drew with Ajax in the Champions League on Thursday:
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