Nurnberg v Bayern Munich – Bundesliga Preview
Champions League hopefuls, Bayern Munich, will travel to picturesque Nurnberg in a hope to attain all three points. This would be the 182nd Bavarian derby between the two sides and Nurnberg coach, Dieter Hecking, seems optimistic about his team’s
chances to dent a blow to Bayern’s Champions League qualification hopes.
No relegations fears surround Nurnberg this season after they broke the 42-point barrier, a target set by their manager at the start of the season.
Bayern Munich, on the other hand travel, 170 km in a hope that they can still usurp Bayer Leverkusen’s second place in the Bundesliga standings and get an automatic qualification berth for next year’s edition of the UEFA Champions League.
Currently, Nurnberg are in 6th place in the Bundesliga standings and a victory over their Bavarian neighbours will see them move into 5th place, a place that will guarantee them a place in next year’s edition of UEFA Europa League.
And Hecking has said that his side can aim for a win over the reigning Bundesliga champions. While talking about the game, the German said that although Munich has a lot of good players, who can win games, but said that team spirit has been an important
factor in this season’s victories for all teams.
He also said that his team will show the same team spirit if they play as a unit. "Of course we still have the ambition to get the points we need (to finish fifth), but we also know that we have a hard run-in - harder than Mainz's'', Hecking said, while
talking about his side’s chances of qualifying for Europe.
The Bavarian Derby History
Nurnberg have not lost to Bayern Munich at home since 2005. Since then, Nurnberg have won one game and drawn 2. In December 1967, Nurnberg recorded their biggest victory over Bayern Munich when Franz Brungs scored 5 goals in an emphatic 7-2 drubbing.
Nurnberg starlet, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andreas-Ottl-c5757, and, Brena, both spent 6 months on loan at Nurnberg last season.
On the other hand, Bayern Munich have a big overall lead over their Bavarian rivals at Nurnberg. They have won 32 games, drawn 10 and lost 11 times at Nurnberg and in the last 15 games, have lost just once.
Last Meeting
November 14th, 2010 >>> Bayern Munich 3-0 Nurnberg
German international, Mario Gomez, was Bayern Munich’s hero earlier this season when he scored 2 goals and won a penalty that handed Munich a 3-0 win over the visitors at the Allianz Arena. This time though, it should not be as one sided as it was earlier
this season.
Probable Line ups
Nurnberg: Schaefer; Chandler, Wollscheid, Wolf, Pinola; Simons; Hegeler, Cohen, Guendogan, Ekici; Eigler.
Bayern Munich: Kraft; Lahm, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Luiz-Gustavo-c22844, Badstuber, Pranjic; Kroos, Schweinsteiger; Robben, Mueller, Ribery; Gomez.
Prediction
While Bayern Munich have been dreadful away from home this season, Nurnberg have been very solid in their own backyard. This one could be a tough game and there’s a high chance that Nurnberg will be looking to exploit Bayern Munich’s fragile defence.
Final score: Nurnberg 2-Bayern Munich 2
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