Trabzonspor
Karagümrük
Wolverhampton
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Coventry
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It’s probably the toughest game of the season, when VfL take on Bayern Munich. The German record champions have already shaken off their competitors and are currently nine points ahead of second place – Bayern are heading for their 32nd championship, their 11th in a row. Here’s our LOOK AHEAD on Bayern Munich.
THE TEAM
Actually, there’s much to say about the top quality of the Bayern squad. The current best keeper in the world plus the best striker– a quite common opinion among football experts, not a bad combination. 68 goals this season so far with 24 scored by finisher Robert Lewandowski. Still absolutely no recognisable drop in the 33-year-old Pole’s performances. Quite the contrary: after the record for the most scored goals within one campaign (41), the award for the World Player of the Year and passing the 300 goals mark in the Bundesliga, Lewandowski just keeps on scoring. German international Thomas Müller contributes a great support with 18 assist up to now. Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry – top quality forwards. But, of course, all other players of the squad show remarkable performances as well. That is why the club management decided not to sign any new players this winter. Even the long-term injuries of former VfL youth player Leon Goretzka and Alphonso Davies did not change that decision. Both will therefore not be available for Saturday’s match, just like Manuel Neuer and Jamal Musiala. Under the week reserve goalkeeper was also questionable due to a possible Covid infection, but the Ex-Hamburg goalie is most probably able to play.
THE HEAD COACH
Julian Nagelsmann has settled in Munich very quickly. The head coach has already become one of Europe’s best – at an age of only 34 years. It’s the native of Landsberg’s sixth Bundesliga season already. He once saved Hoffenheim from relegation and later qualified for Europa League, he established Leipzig as one of Germany’s big five and led them into the German cup final. In Munich Nagelsmann continues the great successes of his predecessor Hansi Flick. Best forwards, best defence, a confident moving into the Champions League group stage. Who is supposed to stop his team? At least, there are a couple of examples…
THE RECORD
Bayern have made their mistakes – even though in extremely rare cases. In the German cup competition, they were knocked out by Borussia Mönchengladbach with a 5-0 hammering. In the league they surprisingly lost against our direct competitors Augsburg (2-1) and Gladbach (2-1) of all teams. As you can see: there is a chance! VfL’s last victory over FC Bayern goes back to 2004, when Peter Madsen scored the celebrated winner in the Ruhrstadion. In the following 14 fixtures Bochum racked up two draws, while Bayern won all remaining games. But Bayern weren’t always the clear winner like this season’s first leg match. Let’s remember the last cup tie, when VfL – playing 2. Bundesliga football at that time – almost managed to defeat them. So, come on, lads!
