By Jonathan Dicks @Jonathan_Dicks
Bayern are trying to avoid their fourth straight league draw in a row, as they travel to Augsburg for the Bavarian derby.
| Photo: Steffen Prößdorf, CC BY-SA 4.0 |
Augsburg
Unlike Bayern, Augsburg don’t have a draw with four losses and two wins this season, coming against Leverkusen and Werder Bremen. Rafal Gikiewicz came up huge again last weekend to secure their away win over Werder, as Augsburg showed they aren’t afraid to back down in a chippy, tense affair.
Head coach Enrico Maaßen is likely to play more conservative this week and if Bauer, Gouweleeuw and Gumny can hold things down as Augsburg’s last line of defense, fans could be in for another wild ending. But at the same time, expectations need to be kept at a minimum with Bayern extra motivated to get their first league win in four weeks.
Maaßen stated that, “We have to be able to suffer, Bayern will want to have the ball a lot. We rely on the moments of transition, which we want to use purposefully and consistently to our advantage. In front of a full house, it won’t be easy for Bayern here either.”
Team News
Niklas Dorsch, Felix Uduokhai, Reece Oxford, Tobias Strobl, Noah Joel Sarenren Bazee and Frederik Winther all remain sidelined with injuries.
Bayern Munich
Coming off a massive victory over Robert Lewandowski-led Barcelona this week, Bayern turn their attention to Augsburg in the Bavarian derby on Saturday. Bayern really need to start picking up steam in league play, as they have disappointingly drawn against Gladbach, Union Berlin and now Stuttgart in their last three matches.
While Benjamin Pavard and Dayot Upamecano are fit this weekend, Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed that Noussair Mazraoui will get the start at right-back. It’s still unclear whether Leon Goretzka will return alongside Joshua Kimmich from the off after Marcel Sabitzer’s impressive start to league play.
Sadio Mane hasn’t scored in his last four competitive games and has been the subject of several controversial VAR decisions this season. Jamal Musiala leads all Bundesliga midfielders in scoring thus far, but it’s yet to be seen if he receives a starting nod over Serge Gnabry.
Nagelsmann is not taking Augsburg lightly: “They play a lot of long balls, look to win the second ball and take shots from distance. It will be more about working hard than playing amazing football. We need to take the chances we’re able to create.”
Team News
Kingsley Coman, Lucas Hernandez and Bouna Sarr are all out with injuries.
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