Julian Nagelsmann will be keen to break Bayern Munich’s three-game winless streak away from home against his former side TSG Hoffenheim.
TSG Hoffenheim will welcome Bayern Munich in a top-four clash that is the standout fixture in this week’s Bundesliga schedule.
Four draws from the first ten games see Die Roten trail early league leaders Union Berlin by four points. While there is still a long way to go, dropping cheap points will be a serious blow to their morale.
The match-up will be far from easy for Julian Nagelsmann as his former side have started the season strongly and look formidable. While a lot could depend on which version of Hoffenheim take to the field, on their day, Die Kraichgauer are capable of causing an upset.
The PreZero Arena has proven to be a difficult place for Bayern to visit over the years. In fact, they have not won at the venue for two years and have dropped ten points over six games since 2016/17. A win on Saturday will see Hoffenheim leapfrog Bayern in the Bundesliga table.
Both teams go into the clash on the back of thumping wins earlier in the week in the DFB Pokal. Hoffenheim thrashed Schalke 5-1, while Bayern got the better of Augsburg by a scoreline of 5-2. As long as both sides are at their best, it promises to be an exciting encounter at the PreZero Arena on Saturday.
The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
TSG Hoffenheim
2️⃣4️⃣ hours…#TSGFCB pic.twitter.com/6zys17xSH7
— TSG Hoffenheim EN (@tsghoffenheimEN) October 21, 2022
Centre-back Kevin Vogt is suspended for the game after picking up his fifth booking of the season against Schalke. Hoffenheim will also be without Andrej Kramaric, Ermin Bicakcic, Benjamin Hubner and Ihlas Bebou, who are all injured.
The home side have an otherwise fully-fit squad to choose from and will fancy their chances of getting a favourable result. Having ended their three-game streak without a win last weekend, Andre Breitenreiter’s side can go into the game with the monkey off their back.
Hoffenheim have favoured a 3-5-2 formation of late and are likely to continue with it on the night. Depending on whether they are on the attack or not, the home side could tinker with their setup and form a 3-4-1-2 with equal effectiveness.
Veteran goalkeeper Oliver Baumann will start in between the sticks behind a back three of Kevin Akpoguma, Ozan Kabak and Stanley Nsoki. The three will form the rearguard and, will be set up to keep space between them to a premium and not allow the Bayern attackers to steal through.
This also places added pressure on Angelino and Robert Skov, who will start as the wing-backs on the night. Bayern’s competent wide players make it dangerous for teams to leave space out on the flanks, and the Hoffenheim duo will need to be on their toes.
Dennis Geiger and Grischa Promel will hold the fort in the middle of the park, giving Christoph Baumgartner the freedom to play between the lines as the number 10. He will be keen to make the most of the opportunity to let Georginio Rutter and Mu’nas Dabbur have a go at the Bavarian defence.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Baumann; Akpoguma, Kabak, Nsoki; Skov, Promel, Geiger, Angelino; Baumgartner; Rutter, Dabbur
Bayern Munich
The defending champions have had their ups and downs this season and have lacked that cutting edge in front of goal. Manuel Neuer has struggled with a shoulder injury over the last few weeks and will sit out the game. Reserve goalkeeper Sven Ulreich will start in his stead.
Lucas Hernandez and Leroy Sane are both out injured and will be unavailable on the night. Julian Nagelsmann, however, has options and will in all likelihood play a formidable back four of Benjamin Pavard, Dayot Upamecano, Matthijs de Ligt and Alphonso Davies.
🗣️ @J__Nagelsmann on #TSGFCB: "It's definitely a special game, as I spent nine great years at the club. I'm looking forward to returning. Games against TSG are always tough."#packmas pic.twitter.com/aL9lvKVkNn
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) October 21, 2022
The backline will be anchored by the double pivot of Joshua Kimmich and Marcel Sabitzer. This defensive shield will give the Bayern front four the opportunity to focus their attention on finding the back of the net.
With Sane out, Mane is likely to be shifted to the left, a position that he made his own while at Liverpool. Thomas Muller will also miss out with a stomach bug. Jamal Musiala will function as the chief playmaker, with Kingsley Coman on the right flank. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting was stellar in midweek against Augsburg and is likely to hold onto the spot upfront.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Pavard, Upamecano, de Ligt, Davies; Kimmich, Sabitzer; Coman, Musiala, Mane; Choupo-Moting
Key Stats
- Hoffenheim are unbeaten at home against Bayern Munich over the last two years. Hoffenheim have picked up ten points from their last six home games against Bayern Munich. This is the most of any side against Bayern from the 2016/17 season onwards.
- The last time Bayern Munich prevailed over Hoffenheim when both clubs were in the Bundesliga top four was in 2008.
- With 17 points from the first ten games, this is Hoffenheim’s best start to a Bundesliga season since now Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann exited the club.
- Bayern Munich are winless in three straight-away games in the Bundesliga. The last time they went on a four-game winless streak away from home was in 2012.
- Bayern Munich have 13 different goal scorers over their first ten games in the Bundesliga this season. This is the most they have had at this stage of the season.
Player to Watch
Sadio Mane
The Senegalese attacker finished second in the Ballon d’Or list earlier in the week but is not the player he once was. While age has caught up with Mane, he continues to be a decisive player who can be a match-winner on his night.
The 30-year-old has scored nine goals and provided one assist in 17 appearances for Die Roten across all competitions. While the numbers are not bad at any level, it could have been so much better. Mane has had six goals ruled out so far in the Bundesliga this season, a tally that suggests he knows where the back of the net is.
With Leroy Sane out, the onus will be on him to make use of his directness to wreak chaos in the Hoffenheim backline. His ability to link up with Jamal Musiala and also get forward and function as a striker when needed could prove decisive on the night.
Prediction
TSG Hoffenheim 1-3 Bayern Munich
Hoffenheim have the potential to cause Bayern problems and are likely to take the game to their opponents. The visitors will be fine as long as they weather the storm and stick to their principles. Nagelsmann has the better side on paper and will know that Die Roten cannot afford to drop any more points.
It should prove to be a comfortable win in what promises to be an exciting game at the PreZero Arena. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-1 win for Julian Nagelsmann’s charges on Saturday.
