FC Bayern Munchen News

Bayern Munich will look to break a club record 27 Bundesliga games without defeat when they contest the Bavarian derby with Nurnberg.

Mario Mandzukic scored the only goal of the game as Pep Guardiola’s men continued their 100 per cent winning start to the new league campaign at Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend.

That result also meant they drew level with their club record of 27 Bundesliga matches undefeated – and they can go beyond that figure by avoiding an upset against Nuremberg at the Allianz Arena on Saturday.

Bayern forward Thomas Muller says the squad know of their achievement, but insisted they are solely focused on the task of taking another three points.

“We’re obviously aware of it and we’re delighted, but the priority in Frankfurt was three points, which we were determined to take,” he told the club’s official website.

“We’ve generally done well at home to Nurnberg, and we obviously want that to continue. Nurnberg are very strong in the air and come with enormous presence.

“They play with great determination, so we have to resist that. We’re superior to them technically and tactically, but we have to show that on the field.”

Bayern have no fresh injury worries ahead of the game, but centre-back Holger Badstuber remains a long-term absentee after suffering a recurrence of a cruciate ligament tear in May.

Nurnberg have started their league campaign with consecutive 2-2 draws against Hoffenheim and Hertha Berlin respectively.

Michael Wiesinger’s side have shown fighting spirit in those fixtures, coming back from losing positions in both matches to take a share of the spoils.

However, they have issues in defence ahead of the game. Marcos Antonio is set to miss the whole campaign with a hyaline cartilage injury picked up in pre-season, while Per Nilsson is doubtful with a hamstring problem.

The Germany legend has backed the starlet to flourish at the Allianz Arena following his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund

Mario Gotze’s move to Bayern Munich will help him flourish into one of the world’s best players, according to Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

The Bayern CEO believes Gotze made the right choice in making the controversial €37 million summer switch from Borussia Dortmund, insisting the player is in the right surroundings to continue his development.

“He’s on the way to world stardom and will make this step at Bayern,” Rumenigge told reporters.

“He has the quality to continue to make us successful.”

Gotze has yet to make his official Bayern debut as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, but Rummenigge believes die Roten are well placed to replicate last season’s historic success once the full squad is back to fitness.

“In addition to Gotze, we have Javi Martinez, Thiago and [Bastian] Schweinsteiger who are yet to reach their best condition, but when they do, Bayern will win with beautiful football,” he said.

The Bundesliga giants recently finalised Franck Ribery’s contract renewal, but want to see how things pan out under Pep Guardiola before opening talks with the quartet

Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has made it clear that the German giants have not planned any contract negotiations with David Alaba, Jerome Boateng, Toni Kroos and Arjen Robben for the foreseeable future.

The quartet all have contracts that are due to expire in the summer of 2015 and the Bavarians were expected to open renewal talks shortly after recently already tying down Franck Ribery to a new deal earlier this summer.
 
However, Rummenigge is in no rush to hold talks with Alaba, Boateng, Kroos and Robben as he wants to see how things develop under Pep Guardiola before making any long term decisions.

“We want to wait how things develop and then discuss the situation internally,” Rummenigge was quoted as saying by Kicker.

“Let’s not forget that all players still have two years to go on their current contract.”

Bayern are currently preparing for the Bundesliga match at home against Nurnberg. They won their first two league games of the season, beating Borussia Monchengladbach and Eintracht Frankfurt.

The midfielder does not believe he will be able to reproduce his finest form straight away as he prepares to make his comeback

Bayern Munich star Mario Gotze has admitted he is nervous ahead of making his return from injury.

The midfielder has made just one brief substitute appearance for the Bavarians since his €37million switch from Borussia Dortmund in July, having torn his hamstring prior to his arrival.

And the Germany international believes he may struggle for sharpness during his first outings for his new club.

“Obviously it takes time to find my rhythm and be playing at 100 per cent again,” he said.

“It requires training and match minutes to get myself into my rhythm again. Actually, I think I’ll be back in form in two, three, or four weeks time.”

The 21-year-old also discussed Bayern’s upcoming Bundesliga meeting with Nuremberg, claiming that Michael Wiesinger’s men will pose a serious threat on Saturday.

“Of course its going to be a tough match again. We have shown in the first two matches how close it is,” he added.

“We are all looking forward to the third game – especially me because I’m coming back slowly. I hope I’ll get some match time, let’s see.

“I think we have two important league matches and then the Super Cup final. We will try our best to win this title, but as I mentioned before, there are two previous matches to be played and focused on.”

Gotze’s team-mate Arjen Robben is also predicting a testing encounter against their Bavarian neighbours at the Allianz Arena, as Pep Guardiola’s men look to make it three wins from three games in the German top flight.

“Yeah, obviously it’s an important match for the fans in particular. But for us it’s just a game in order to win and proceed. Derby games are always tense, but we want to win and we will try everything,” he said.

“It’s good to have some space left to improve. Otherwise you wont have anything to improve on. Its nothing unusual, for us it was important to win the first two matches, six points is what counts.

“Obviously there are things left to adjust, but we are on track and in a good position.”

The Brazil international has dismissed suggestions that left the reigning Bundesliga champions due to the former Barcelona coach

Wolfsburg midfielder Luiz Gustavo has insisted that Pep Guardiola did not force him out of Bayern Munich and added that the 42-year-old will forever have a place in his heart.

The holding midfielder left the Allianz Arena for Dieter Hecking’s earlier this month, snubbing a move to Arsenal, and has stressed that the Spaniard was not the reason for his departure.

“It’s never easy to say farewell. I met a lot of friends at Bayern and a lot of people will always have a place in my heart, including Pep Guardiola,” the Brazil international told Sport Bild.

“He did not tell me that I did not have a chance at Bayern. He also shook my hand and said me farewell on the Sunday of my goodbye.

“I could have stayed at Bayern and fought for my place. I have no doubt that I would have achieved something.

“I felt that something had to change. That feeling got even stronger after a first meeting with Guardiola. I then spoke with the people who are important to me and made my decision.”

Gustavo, 26, made his official Wolfsburg debut at the weekend, helping them to a 4-0 win over Schalke.