Bayern Munich will be looking to maintain their healthy lead at the top of the Bundesliga table when they take on Eintracht Frankfurt.
After a nervy yet dominant win over Greuther Furth last weekend, Bayern Munich will be bracing themselves for arguably the most important period of the season, starting with a Saturday encounter against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The game against Frankfurt is set to be followed by an equally challenging match-up against Bayer Leverkusen before the Bavarians eventually take on Red Bull Salzburg in the UEFA Champions League. They will end the tough run of fixtures with an away match-up against the unpredictable TSG Hoffenheim.
The results in these four matches could make or break the campaign for Julian Nagelsmann’s unit, who have faced a lot of criticism for their all-out attacking approach this season. Bayern looked nervy even in the 4-1 victory over Furth, with the newly-promoted opposition causing trouble for the vulnerable defence time and time again.
Things won’t be made any easier by an Eintracht Frankfurt side that are considered as one of the most difficult opponents in the league, especially at the Deutsche Bank Park. The Eagles have a strong attacking lineup, and despite their form, they have what it takes to cause a major upset that will allow Borussia Dortmund to bridge the gap at the top of the Bundesliga table.
Back in October, Frankfurt were the first team to hand Nagelsmann his first Bundesliga defeat as Bayern coach, with goals from Filip Kostic and Martin Hinteregger proving to be enough to cancel out Leon Goretzka’s first-half opener. Coach Oliver Glasner will be aiming for a similar result, knowing a double against Bayern could significantly boost his side’s confidence as we head towards the final phase of the campaign.
Team News & Tactics
Eintracht Frankfurt
? Oliver Glasner's pre-match presser:
“These sorts of games are perhaps easier for the mind because everyone knows: if you don’t deliver an absolutely top performance against @FCBayernEN , you’ll lose.”#SGEFCB #SGE pic.twitter.com/bjPsZaXc4A
— Eintracht Frankfurt (@eintracht_eng) February 24, 2022
Eintracht Frankfurt are missing influential midfielder Kristijan Jakic through suspension, Ajdin Hrustic, Daichi Kamada and former Bayern Munich midfielder Sebastian Rode remain doubts due to injuries.
Kamada’s absence could be a major blow for Glasner, potentially forcing the Eintracht head coach to play Filip Kostic in a number ten role alongside Jesper Lindstrom. Their collective dynamism and work rate in the final third could be essential in the first line of press, as they look to provide the supply for central striker Rafael Santos Borre.
In the second line of press, Kostic’s role in the left wing-back slot will likely be taken up by new signing Christopher Lenz. The former Union Berlin defender’s proficiency from set-pieces, coupled with his crossing prowess, could be useful for someone like Borre. As for the opposite flank, Timothy Chandler is expected to operate in a more defensive role as he looks to aid the back three.
Djibril Sow and Makoto Hasebe should occupy the two midfield positions. Their collective work ethic and experience could be invaluable for an Eintracht side looking to break up Bayern Munich’s build-up play from the middle of the park.
As for the defence, Glasner has no reason to tinker with the back three of Tuta, Martin Hinteregger and Evan N’Dicka; all three centre-backs remain a threat from set-pieces, though a bigger task will be to stop Robert Lewandowski in his tracks and keep Bayern from unleashing their attacking quality in the defensive third.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Trapp; Tuta, Hinteregger, N’Dicka; Chandler, Sow, Hasebe, Lenz; Lindstrom, Kostic; Borre
Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are missing a myriad of key players heading into this game, including Leon Goretzka, Manuel Neuer, Alphonso Davies, and Corentin Tolisso. Thomas Muller was the latest to join the list after testing positive for COVID-19. He should return soon but has been ruled out for this away contest against Eintracht Frankfurt.
JN on tomorrow's game: "Every team is more motivated against FC Bayern. Despite the departures, Frankfurt have a very good team and a very good coach. They play aggressively, the coach has a good plan, they will also the fans create a good aggressive atmosphere." pic.twitter.com/Q0klgRF4gr
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) February 25, 2022
It would take a lot to fill in the shoes of Muller, but his absence in the team could see Nagelsmann reverting to a more familiar 4-2-3-1 setup with a bit more emphasis in defence. Leroy Sane, meanwhile, should occupy the number ten role, forming the Bayern creative trifecta alongside Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman, operating just behind the main striker Robert Lewandowski.
In midfield, Jamal Musiala is available and is a favourite to start ahead of Marc Roca. The youngster has been notified of Bayern’s plans to groom him into a number eight, so he will be relishing the opportunity to play alongside Joshua Kimmich, forming the double-pivot for the Bavarians this weekend.
The defence almost picks itself, with Benjamin Pavard operating as a traditional right-back, whereas Lucas Hernandez should continue to deputise for the injured Davies on the opposite flank. The two will hope to offer a bit more solidity from the wider areas after being taken to the cleaners in recent games against Furth and Bochum.
At the heart of the Bayern defence, Borussia Dortmund-bound Niklas Sule remains a favourite to get the nod ahead of Tanguy Nianzou to partner the much-maligned Dayot Upamecano in the four-man backline. Sven Ulreich, meanwhile, should continue in goal, in the absence of club captain Manuel Neuer.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Ulreich; Pavard, Upamecano, Sule, Hernandez; Kimmich, Musiala; Gnabry, Sane, Coman; Lewandowski
Key Stats
- Martin Hinteregger has scored more goals against Bayern (four) than against any other club in his career.
- Frankfurt have already lost four games at home this season, including the last three in a row. One more would equal a club record of consecutive home defeats.
- Die Adler have, however, beaten Bayern twice in a row; the last time they beat the Bavarians three times in a row was between 1976 and 1977.
- Robert Lewandowski has scored 16 goals away from home this season, just one shy of the league record for away goals in a single season by one player.
- Julian Nagelsmann has not beaten Frankfurt in his past four attempts (two draws, two defeats)
Player to Watch
Robert Lewandowski
28 – Robert Lewandowski has scored 28 times in the Bundesliga this season – more than 31 teams in the top five European leagues have managed in total in 2021-22. King. pic.twitter.com/IY14CPpls9
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) February 25, 2022
With Thomas Muller not available, there will be an extra burden on the shoulders of Robert Lewandowski as Bayern Munich look to dodge the challenge of Eintracht Frankfurt this weekend.
As one would expect, the Pole has been in terrific form this season, netting 28 goals from just 23 league matches. He is on course to break his own record of scoring 41 goals in a single season, though in Frankfurt, he could find himself a stern opposition, who can offer quite the resistance in defence.
In addition to his goalscoring, Lewandowski will be asked to offer a bit of creativity in the final third. So it will be interesting to see how the former Borussia Dortmund striker links up with the likes of Leroy Sane, Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman this weekend.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 2-2 Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt have always performed well against Bayern Munich in recent weeks. And despite their poor run of form heading into this affair, we expect Die Alder to once again put up a strong resistance against Nagelsmann’s unit that has looked quite vulnerable lately.
Indeed, the attack could be the best form of defence for Frankfurt and given the abundance of quality upfront; it won’t be surprising to see the Bavarian defence conceding at least two goals on the night. On the flip side, the Eintracht defence could once again become a victim of Robert Lewandowski’s onslaught, thus pointing to an entertaining clash at the Deutsche Bank Park.
