Position
If everything goes to form then Bayern will be champions again and not only Tayfun Korkut is sure of that. FCB have 68 points from 28 games in a season where many experts said they were beatable as never before. However, Ancelotti's men proved to be wrong and now have a ten-point lead over second-placed RB Leipzig. Bayern are also determined to win the Champions League but they did suffer a disappointing 2-1 defeat on their own turf against Real Madrid in the quarter-final first leg on Wednesday night.
Personnel
There is more talk about the personnel situation now than for many a long day. Above all, Robert Lewandowski is irreplaceable as top scorer and even if the Poland international recovers from a shoulder injury by Saturday he will be unavailable to Ancelotti due to a one-match ban. Mats Hummels is also probably ruled out with an ankle injury. However, beware of a Plan B like Boateng.
Potential
When Real Madrid regret allowing a player to go to FC Bayern then that demonstrates the quality of individual players in the FCB squad. That refers to Arjen Robben as the former Real president Calderon would still like to see him playing in the Spanish capital. Robben, in addition to the suspended Lewandowski, is the outstanding player for Bayern at the moment and in the recent 4-1 victory against Borussia Dortmund he was joined on the other wing by Franck Ribéry. The duo have tormented opponents over the years.
Problems
The personnel situation has been discussed in detail. On top of that, there are the games against Real Madrid in the week before and the week after the clash at the BayArena. It cannot be ruled out that the Champions League quarter-final is the main focus for Bayern. On the pitch, Bayern have proved to be most susceptible in the opening 30 minutes of matches. They have conceded 9 out of 15 goals in the league during those phases of games.
Prediction
The treble is the big dream but even Pep Guardiola could not achieve it. Bayern have been waiting for a repeat of that ultimate triumph since 2013 under Jupp Heynckes and despite the home defeat against Real Madrid they are still in with a chance. The first title of the season is as good as sealed with the championship in reach even without the points against Leverkusen.
Exciting experiences and exclusive insights into the Werkself and the BayArena awaited the young footballers from the BA04 Football Academy Guangzhou in China during their visit to the Rhineland this week. As well as taking part in a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy, the youngsters marvelled at the Bundesliga club’s stadium during a guided tour. The highlight of the visit was a private press conference with former Bayer 04 striker Stefan Kießling, during which he shared tips from his own career with the young players. On Saturday afternoon, 10 October, the group will round off their visit by supporting the Werkself in the away match in Mainz.
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Fun, games and promising talent: At the fourth Bayer 04 Junior Girls’ Talent Day at the Kurtekotten training centre, 90 football-mad girls had the chance to put themselves forward for the Werkself youth teams. During a 90-minute training session, children born between 2011 and 2019 had the chance to demonstrate their skills.
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Despite the international break, numerous Werkself fans turned up at the BayArena on Saturday 3 October. The occasion: Bayer 04, together with Bayer Vital and main sponsor BarmeniaGothaer, organised a Health Day. In the stadium’s Premium Lounge, guests listened to fascinating talks on the subject of cancer, featuring, amongst others, Bayer 04 record appearance holder Rüdiger Vollborn and former Werkself player Hans Sarpei. Afterwards, young and old alike enjoyed interactive stations such as a grip strength test and eye pupil test.
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In issue #56 of Werkself Magazine, Afonso Moreira offers some interesting insights into his home country, Portugal, as part of the ‘Sag mal’ (Tell me) feature. Among other things, the 21-year-old talks about his favourite places in the country on the Iberian Peninsula, the local cuisine and music, as well as heroes and historical figures beyond the world of football. ‘Sag mal’ with Afonso Moreira!
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