Bayern expecting exciting game as in-form Hoffenheim visit

It’s first against third on Sunday as Bayern host Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena for Matchday 21 in the Bundesliga (kick-off at 17:30 CET, live coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our text commentary and free web radio). Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game, which Vincent Kompany expects to be an exciting encounter against the division’s form team.

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Bayern are two games without a win in the Bundesliga, following the 2-1 loss at home to Augsburg with last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Hamburg. However, the defending champions still came into Matchday 21 with a six-point lead over Borussia Dortmund. Nevertheless, the Bavarians need to get back to winning ways on Sunday to ensure that advantage can’t shrink any further. Recent encounters with Hoffenheim have been fruitful for Bayern, winning all three under Kompany and scoring four goals each time.

Speaking on Saturday at his pre-match press conference, the Belgian insisted that his team still have “the same hunger” as in previous weeks. He also said that his side were able to enjoy a full week of training following the end of a run of seven games in 20 days.

Read up on the pre-match facts:

Although there’s another busy week to come, attentions for now are on Hoffenheim, who Kompany described as a “hard-working team”. Christian Ilzer’s side have different player profiles and are very active, but the Bayern boss insisted, “We’ve always showed when a team brings the intensity, we’re there and play well. That’s also good for the fans. It brings the best out of the game. We’re up for this one, because that’s one of our strengths, but also one of theirs.”

Asked about stats in attack and defence, Kompany stated that his role is to “look at everything carefully”. He needs to find a balance, but he also claimed that the numbers need to be looked at in the overall context, such as whether it comes down to the amount of matches or something structural. “We don’t like conceding, but we still have the best defence in Germany,” the boss affirmed. The 74 goals scored is also evidence of the efforts at the other end. “It’s not black or white,” Kompany concluded.

Read more from Kompany’s press conference here:

Opponent: Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim are the form team in the Bundesliga. Having faced relegation last season, the Sinsheim club have enjoyed an excellent campaign in 2025/26. They are unbeaten in their last seven league fixtures and are the only team to have won their first five matches of the new year. They come into the weekend in third place and on track for a return to European football in 2026/27.

“Games against Bayern are always special. They’re the pinnacle in German football and one of the biggest names in European football. We’re relaxed but also focused. We can only win and will learn a lot regardless of the outcome. We’re expecting us to go to the limit physically. We can only influence what we can influence,” said Ilzer ahead of the fixture.

Get the lowdown on Hoffenheim:

Team news

“Everyone’s back,” Kompany announced on Saturday. Harry Kane, who missed training earlier in the week through illness, was again with the squad on Friday. The coach also expects to have Manuel Neuer available after his stomach bug. “If things go as I think, Manu will train today and then we’ve got everyone available,” the Belgian added. Konrad Laimer had resumed full training on Wednesday following his calf injury.

According to Ilzer, there’s a few doubts for his team. “We can’t avoid having a few players out on Sunday, but we’re ready,” the Austrian stated. Tim Lemperle had to go off last time out against Union Berlin, with the coach insisting they will need to wait and see if he can feature. Four players who definitely won’t be involved are Wouter Burger (suspended), Koki Machida (cruciate ligament), Adam Hložek (calf) and Cole Campbell (ankle).

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What the coaches say