Bayern Frankfurt preview, restoring fear and respect

Bayern Frankfurt preview: when the Bavarians host the Eagles on Sunday, earning three points won’t be the only goal. It is time for the Bavarians to strike fear into opposing sides again as we get deeper into the season.

Frankfurt, Eagles turning into preys

Second season after promotion syndrome. Juggling with Europa League at the same time. Poor defence. A number of injuries. It is not easy being Eintracht Frankfurt this season.

Seen as a first-third or mid-table side that could trouble anyone, they sit in 14th place after a narrow win against Hertha Berlin on Matchday 18. Frankfurt has failed to secure a win at home in the first half although we thought they would do well after raiding SC Freiburg for striker Jan Rosenthal.

On top of this, add a tough first month after the restart. Frankfurt saw Berlin last week, sees Bayern this week, has to see Dortmund twice and has Europa League dates with FC Porto. How much energy can they put into each game?

The Eagles favour a 4-2-3-1 formation with a hint of 4-3-3 with Alex Meier as talisman. Their defence is leaky, having conceded 29 times so far in the Bundesliga. Preventing the counterattack is their biggest weakness, having been exposed by attacking machines such as Dortmund and Gladbach.

The Frankfurters control the ball 52% of the time. They don’t shoot frequently, don’t have the confidence to finish on their scoring chances and are not dangerous on the counterattack. Only Meier, a well-rounded guy, has efficiency in that regard. Still, he racked up less than 3 shots per game and only 4 goals.

Frankfurt will miss several players for this game. Sebastian Rode, the central midfielder who is moving to Bayern in the summer, will not be able to serve his defensive dribbles and passing accuracy. More importantly, central defender Anderson will not be around either. His clearances and accurate long balls will be missed. Carlos Zambrano won’t be there in the middle of defence either, weakening a battered position.

On the other hand, coach Armin Veh picked up centre-back Alexander Madlung in the transfer window, adding size and strength. Tobias Weis came on loan from Hoffenheim, adding experience and versatility to the midfield.

At right-back, Sebastian Jung provides playmaking and assists, which could land him a backup spot at full-back for the German National team.

Possible lineup

Bayern, the need to do more

The main concerns at FCB remain dealing with injuries and improving the defence. The team’s display against Stuttgart was not convincing, a Thiago supergoal saving the three points. Die Bayern need to find their rhythm. The poor coverage on the Ibisevic goal was disappointing.

The possible returns of Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben on the wings could boost the team’s confidence. If they start, their attacking threat is most likely to give the Reds new composure. I wouldn’t expect, however, to have Javi Martinez or Bastian Schweinsteiger around because they are still nursing minor injuries.

What is mostly lacking at the moment, in my opinion, is having more confidence, defensive solidity and an air game. Some of last season’s Bayern strengths would be helpful. The quiet return to a 4-2-3-1 (with Lahm and Kroos as double pivot) is welcome but more progress is needed as Champions League action is resuming soon. Playing Frankfurt is a good occasion to start fixing the problems. They aren’t incredible in the air and weak on the counter.

I also hope that Pep has realized how important Mario Mandzukic is to this team. As soon as he was subbed in against Stuttgart, he provided energy in the offence, attracted defenders and helped Claudio Pizarro to score a goal. I don’t expect him to start, but seeing him play again is a reasonable request.

The spin

Beating Frankfurt by a pair of goals shouldn’t be much of a problem. What I am looking for, however, is a better team with better tactics and more polish. How you win is becoming increasingly important as the decisive moments of the season approach. To retain titles, Bayern has to have two synonyms: fear and respect.

Possible lineup

Matchday: 19

Time: 17:30 CET

Location: Allianz Arena, München

TV listings

Referee: Florian Meyer

Bayern Frankfurt preview in facts and statistics

Bayern Frankfurt preview: Eintracht has struggled in recent history against Bayern and its most valuable player is headed to Munich in the summer. Here is our preview in facts and statistics by @fcbayernupdate.

Stadium: Allianz Arena (Munich) – Kick-off: Sunday, 02 February 2014, 17.30h

Referee: Florian Meyer from Burgdorf (45 years)

Current BL place: 1st place with 50 points (Bayern), 14th place with 18 points (Frankfurt)

Total market value: 484,100,000€ (Bayern); 86,500,000€ (Frankfurt)

Number of players: 27 for Bayern (13 foreign), 30 for Frankfurt (10 foreign)

Age average: 25,7 years (Bayern); 25,3 years (Frankfurt)

League experience: 3,096 matches (Bayern); 2,262 matches (Frankfurt)

Foundation date: 27.02.1900 (Bayern); 08.03.1899 (Frankfurt)

Members: 223,985 (2013, Bayern); 26,852 (2014, Frankfurt)

Most valuable player: Thomas Müller (€45M, Bayern); Sebastian Rode (€9M, Frankfurt)

Last 10 matches in general: 9 wins, 1 defeat (Bayern); 5 wins, 2 draws, 3 defeats (Frankfurt)

Total matches between both teams in the BL: 85 matches. 44 Bayern wins, 20 draws, 21 Frankfurt wins.

Goal difference in those 85 matches: 160 goals for Bayern, 110 goals for Frankfurt.

Matches in Munich between both teams in the BL: 42. 33 Bayern wins, 6 draws, 3 Frankfurt wins.

Goal difference in those 42 matches: 108 goals for Bayern, 43 goals for Frankfurt.

Last 10 matches between both teams in the BL: 8 Bayern wins, 1 draw, 1 Frankfurt win.

The last time Frankfurt won v Bayern was in 2010 at Frankfurt.

That match in 2010 ended 2-1 for Frankfurt. Miroslav Klose scored for Bayern.

The last time Frankfurt won v Bayern in Munich was in 18.11.2000.

That match in 2000 ended 1-2 for Frankfurt. Paulo Sergio scored for Bayern.

Recent transfers from Bayern to Frankfurt: Markus Steinhöfer (900,000€), Frank Gerster (80,000€)

Recent transfers from Frankfurt to Bayern: Norbert Nachtweih (750,000€)

Armin Veh v Bayern: 16 matches. 2 wins, 1 draw, 13 defeats.

Armin Veh v Bayern as Frankfurt coach: 3 matches. 3 defeats.

Pep Guardiola v Frankfurt: 1 match. 1 win.

Claudio Pizarro has scored 8 goals (+2 assists) against Frankfurt in 15 matches.

Julian Green has played 3 matches against Eintracht Frankfurt U17 and scored 1 goal.

Thomas Müller has provided 5 assists against Eintracht Frankfurt. His 2nd favourite opponent for assists.

Biggest Bayern win against Frankfurt in Munich: 7-2 (Bundesliga 1980/1981)

Biggest Bayern defeat against Frankfurt in Munich: 0-3 (Bundesliga 1976/1977)

Typical result between both teams (in Munich) based on historical background: 2-1.

Bayern currently has 3 wins (with a clean sheet) in a row against Frankfurt.

11 consecutive matches for Bayern scoring against Frankfurt.

Best set of consecutive matches without defeat for Bayern v Frankfurt: 17 matches (1983-1991)

Best set of consecutive matches winning for Bayern v Frankfurt: 5 matches (2008-2009)

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