Opponent analysis: FC Bayern München vs. RB Leipzig on 20th May 2023

RB Leipzig travel to face league leaders FC Bayern München in their penultimate game of the 2022/23 season. After suffering a slight dip in form, the Bavarians have managed to regain top spot and are on a three-game winning run in the league. They remain one point ahead of challengers Borussia Dortmund, with two games left to play.

RB Leipzig are also set for a strong end to the season. The club have reached the final of the DFB-Pokal for the third straight season, and Champions League qualification is within reach. Plenty of reasons to be confident heading into Saturday evening’s clash at the Allianz Arena (20th May, 18:30 CEST).

A strong defensive performance could be the key to keeping a star-studded Bayern side at bay, just like we did during a 0-0 draw in February 2020. To date, this remains the last time that FCB failed to score a goal at home.

Read on for all the information on our upcoming opponents!

FC Bayern opponent analysis

1-1 draw vs. Bayern earlier this season

RBL pick up a point in 1-1 draw vs. Bayern

Bayern München: Form check

Bayern were knocked out in the quarterfinals of both the Champions League (4-1 agg. defeat vs. Manchester City) and the DFB-Pokal (2-1 by SC Freiburg), shortly after the arrival of new coach Thomas Tuchel. With their treble dreams dashed, winning the Bundesliga title is now of the utmost importance to the Bavarians.

FCB look on track to win their 11th straight Bundesliga title. After dropping points against Hoffenheim (1-1) and Mainz (3-1), they went on to win their next three on the bounce: 2-0 vs. Hertha, 2-1 vs. Bremen and 6-0 vs. Schalke.

Form facts

Bayern…

…enjoy having the ball. FCB are averaging 61% possession this season, and enjoy luring their opponents out before hitting them on the counter.
…use the full width of the pitch. Wingers Leroy Sané, Serge Gnabry, Kingsley Coman and Sadio Mané usually look to go down the flanks before cutting inside or taking on their defenders. Their attack is often bolstered by their wing-backs, which include Noussair Mazraoui, Joao Cancelo or Benjamin Pavard.
…win a high number of their challenges. Bayern have won the most duels of any side in the league (3,620), and have also conceded the joint fewest goals (34, same as Union Berlin).

Team news:

Key players

Thomas Müller: “Space interpreter” Müller can be found all over the pitch, is a strong tackler, has a good shot and is a leader within the Bayern squad. Despite being shifted to more of a substitute role lately, he was included in the starting XI against Schalke last time out. When Müller has been on the pitch under Tuchel, Bayern have scored 18 goals and conceded just six, while they have scored once and conceded seven times when he’s been on the bench.
Jamal Musiala: The Germany international is one of Bayern’s mostskilful players with the ball, in addition to Kingsley Coman. Despite being just 20 years old, Musiala shows no fear when attempting a take-on or when put under pressure, and is very clinical with his chances.
Joshua Kimmich: In addition to his ability to win duels, Kimmich is skilled at helping to build up play. His long balls over and through the defence nearly always find their mark and he’s a core leader within the team.
Matthijs de Ligt: The 23-year-old Netherlands international is the head of Bayern’s backline. He is defined by his physicality, ability to win tackles and help build up play. The defender also has a knack for scoring important goals, having given Bayern a 1-0 win in Freiburg recently with a powerful effort from outside the box.

Injury list

Alphonso Davies (muscle injury): The Canada international suffered a hamstring injury in a 3-1 defeat to Mainz, and is out for the remainder of the season.
Lucas Hernandez (ACL tear): The Frenchman suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear during the World Cup in Qatar and continues to work on his comeback. However, it’s unlikely that he will return before the end of the season.
Manuel Neuer (broken leg): The goalkeeper suffered a season-ending injury late last year. Despite returning to the training pitch last week, he will not feature in the season run-in.
Josip Stanisic (muscle strain): The Croatia international has been out for a week and a half with a muscle strain and is a doubt for this weekend.
Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting (knee issues): The centre-forward has been out with a persistent knee problem for the last three weeks, but was able to complete parts of team training last week. He remains a doubt for this weekend.
Find all the most up to date RBL team news here.

Latest RBL team news!

Head coach: Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel was appointed as Bayern head coach in late March as the successor to former RBL head coach Julian Nagelsmann. After winning 4-2 in his first match in charge against Dortmund, the 49-year-old oversaw his side’s elimination from both the Champions League and DFB-Pokal. The team have been able to get back on track in recent weeks, with the 2021 Champions League winning coach looking to guide them to an 11th straight Bundesliga title.

Profile

Age: 49
Previous clubs: Mainz 05, Borussia Dortmund, Paris St. Germain, FC Chelsea
Record vs. Bayern: 10 games | 5 wins | 2 draws | 3 losses
Preferred formations: 4-2-3-1 | 4-1-4-1

The race for the Champions League!

Bundesliga season run-in

How RBL can qualify for the Champions League

RBL’s record vs. Bayern München

Head-to-head

1 win, 5 draws, 10 losses – 18 scored, 34 conceded
Top goalscorers: Emil Forsberg, Timo Werner, Christopher Nkunku(each 3 goals)
Biggest (and only) win: 2-1 on 18th March 2018(Goals: Naby Keita, Timo Werner)

Last five meetings:

20th January 2023 | Bundesliga, Matchday 16: RB Leipzig – FC Bayern München | 1-1
30th July 2022 | DFL Supercup: RB Leipzig – Bayern München | 3-5
5th February 2022 | Bundesliga, Matchday 21: Bayern München – RB Leipzig| 3-2
11th September 2021 | Bundesliga, Matchday 4: RB Leipzig – Bayern München | 1-4
3rd April 2021 | Bundesliga, Matchday 27: RB Leipzig – Bayern München | 0-1