It’s derby time again! Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich host Bavarian neighbors FC Augsburg at the Allianz Arena on Sunday (live ticker from 10:30 am ET). As well as three important points being at stake, the match is also taking place under the banner of “tolerance, respect, diversity, fair play” and the slogan “We love football”. fcbayern.com rounds up everything you need to know ahead of the Matchday 25 clash.
The situation
Bayern have a slight cushion of three points over second-placed Leipzig at the top of the table following last weekend’s results. “We can’t afford any slip-ups,” stressed board member Oliver Kahn. “We need to keep the level high because every game is crucial.” The Munich men have done that very well in recent matches, winning each of their last three in the league with a goal difference of 13:3. “The efficiency in recent weeks has been very good. We’re working on finishing and attacking runs in training,” explained coach Hansi Flick.
The opposition
For Augsburg, 2020 hasn’t been going as well. Since the turn of the year, the Fuggerstädter have managed just one win in seven games (D1 L5), leaving them in 13th place going into this weekend. “We’re coming into a period now in which we need points,” said coach Martin Schmidt. “Otherwise, we could get deeper into the relegation battle. We want to go into the upcoming games with bravery and show that on Sunday.” On the personnel front, only goalkeeper Fabian Giefer is unavailable.
Team news
Lucas Hernández and Jérôme Boateng both return for Bayern after missing Tuesday’s DFB Cup victory at Schalke, but the game comes too soon for Kingsley Coman after the minor straight he picked up in the Champions League game at Chelsea. Elsewhere, Flick is still without long-term absentees Robert Lewandowski, Ivan Perišić and Niklas Süle.
