Bayern host Hertha Berlin on Sunday (kick-off at 15:30 CEST, coverage on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app with our live text and free web radio) knowing that the only thing that matters is three points. Having failed to win any of their last four competitive fixtures, FCB want to get back on track and reclaim top spot in the Bundesliga table. Here’s all you need to know about the game in our preview.
State of play for Bayern
Last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at Mainz saw Bayern relinquish first place to Borussia Dortmund with five games left in the season. However, Dortmund only managed a 1-1 draw away at Bochum on Friday, meaning their advantage is just two points ahead of FCB’s Sunday fixture. Therefore, victory at the Allianz Arena will see the defending champions reclaim top spot. “The state of play is clear to us that we need to pick up 15 points,” coach Thomas Tuchel said at his press conference on Friday. “We have to step it up. More than ever, it’s only about us. We have to deliver.”
Hear what else Tuchel had to say at his pre-match press conference:
Opponent: Hertha Berlin
Bayern’s opponent arrives at the Allianz Arena on Sunday at bottom of the table. Hertha have 22 points on the board, six behind 16th place and the relegation play-off spot. The Berliners are winless in seven games, including three straight defeats. They re-instated Pal Dardai as head coach two weeks ago. The 47-year-old succeeds Sandro Schwarz with the objective of saving the capital club from relegation in his third spell in charge. However, the Old Lady lost their first game under the Hungarian 4-2 at home to Werder Bremen last weekend. “Hertha are unpredictable with their change of coach. That’s just another reason why we have to just focus fully on ourselves,” Tuchel added.
Read up on the facts ahead of the game:
Personnel update
Long-term absentees Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer are still not an option. In addition, Dayot Upamecano has suffered a thigh strain and joins Alphonso Davies (hamstring) and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (knee) on the sidelines. Benjamin Pavard is available again following suspension. Kingsley Coman and Leon Goretzka, who sat out training on Friday, were both able to take part in Saturday’s final session with the team.
Hertha come to Munich without the suspended Suat Serdar and Marc-Oliver Kempf. Stevan Jovetic, Marton Dardai, Marco Richter and Kevin-Prince Boateng are all also absent through injury. Long-term absentee Kelian Nsona and internally suspended Ivan Sunjic are also not involved.
What the coaches say
We have to deliver and step things up a notch in all areas. The situation is crystal clear. We have to get stuck in and approach it all as it is.
Thomas Tuchel
Everything has to come together to earn a point. It’ll be a tough game. Every goal counts. We have to give everything there. We’ll try to do as well as possible.
Pal Dardai (Hertha Berlin head coach)
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