Bayern Munich head into the weekend brimming with confidence after a blistering start to the new Bundesliga campaign as they visit Prezero Arena against Hoffenheim, Softfootball can report.
The champions have already laid down a marker with a series of commanding performances, crushing RB Leipzig 6–0 on the opening day, edging Augsburg 3–2 in a hard-fought contest, and then dismantling Hamburg 5–0 last weekend.
These results have propelled them straight to the top of the league table, setting a strong tone ahead of their midweek Champions League opener against Chelsea.
Hoffenheim, however, faces a daunting task as it prepares to welcome Bayern. Their season has been disrupted by injuries and inconsistent form, and coming up against a Bayern side firing on all cylinders will test their resilience to the limit.
The hosts will be without several key figures. Defenders Valentin Gendrey, Ozan Kabak, and Hayao Machida remain sidelined, leaving coach Pellegrino Matarazzo short of options at the back. Striker Adam Hlozek is also ruled out, while young talent Hajdari is a doubt after sustaining a knock in their previous outing. These absences put added pressure on Hoffenheim’s frontline to make the most of limited opportunities.
On the brighter side, new arrivals Tim Lemperle and Armando Asllani have wasted no time making their presence felt. Lemperle has chipped in with two goals and an assist, while Asllani has been the standout performer with three goals and one assist already to his name. Significantly, Asllani is Hoffenheim’s leading scorer so far this season, and his sharpness in front of goal could prove crucial if the hosts are to trouble Bayern’s defensive unit.
Bayern, meanwhile, are not without their own setbacks. Alphonso Davies and Hiroki Ito remain unavailable, depriving the side of some defensive stability on the flanks. Midfielder Jamal Musiala is also still sidelined, while versatile midfielder Raphael Guerreiro is unlikely to feature after picking up an injury against Hamburg. This evening, Bayern also announced on their official X handle that defender Josip Stanisic has been ruled out of their weekend game. Here is the announcement:
Yet, even with these absences, Bayern’s attacking depth continues to shine.
Leading the line is Harry Kane, who has made a sensational start to life in Munich. The England captain has scored five goals in just three Bundesliga matches, making him Bayern’s top scorer and the most in-form striker in the league. Kane has also kickstarted his goalscoring chart in the Champions League, scoring a brace in Bayern’s 3-1 win over Chelsea on Wednesday night at the Arena.
Hoffenheim’s home record has been underwhelming in recent months. They have managed only two victories in their last 14 Bundesliga matches on home soil, and their most recent run of six games at the PreZero Arena includes four defeats. This worrying trend will concern Matarazzo, particularly against a Bayern team that thrives on exploiting defensive frailties.
Bayern, by contrast, have been relentless. They have claimed eight wins in their last 13 league outings and look razor-sharp in front of goal. Tuchel’s side not only scores in abundance but also spreads the responsibility across the team, making them exceptionally difficult to contain.
Around him, the likes of Luis Díaz (three goals, two assists), Serge Gnabry (two goals, two assists), and Michael Olise (three goals, one assist) have been equally impressive, ensuring Bayern possess multiple avenues of attack.
Probable Lineups
Hoffenheim (4-4-2): Baumann – Coufal, Chaves, Hranac, Bernardo – Kramaric, Tohumcu, Avdullahu, Touré – Lemperle, Asllani
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer – Mazraoui, De Ligt, Upamecano, Kim – Kimmich, Goretzka – Olise, Müller, Díaz – Kane
Possible result:
Hoffenheim 1-3 Bayern Munich
