{"id":33228,"date":"2023-12-09T04:29:07","date_gmt":"2023-12-09T04:29:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/bayern-flying-under-the-radar-ahead-of-visit-to-frankfurt-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-12-09T04:29:07","modified_gmt":"2023-12-09T04:29:07","slug":"bayern-flying-under-the-radar-ahead-of-visit-to-frankfurt-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/bayern-flying-under-the-radar-ahead-of-visit-to-frankfurt-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Bayern flying under the radar ahead of visit to Frankfurt | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nBERLIN:
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Reigning champions Bayern Munich have been overshadowed by Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen<\/a> this season, but their hopes of a 12th-straight title remain well alive as they prepare for Saturday’s trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.<\/p>\n

Unbeaten Bayern sit three points behind Leverkusen with a game in hand, after last week’s home match against Union Berlin was postponed due to heavy snowfall.<\/p>\n

With Leverkusen, who are also unbeaten, travelling to third-placed Stuttgart on Sunday, Bayern will go top for a night, at least, if they win at struggling Frankfurt.<\/p>\n

Bayern’s early exit from the German Cup and some lacklustre performances in the Champions League have belied their excellent league record, with ten wins and two draws in 12 matches.<\/p>\n

Normally mid-week regulars, Bayern<\/a> come into the match after a 10-day break — although manager Thomas Tuchel was careful not to let his troops cool down too much amid ongoing snowstorms in Munich.<\/p>\n

Bayern’s squad were put through extended sessions in the cold ahead of the trip to Frankfurt, with cameras showing Tuchel brandishing a colourful tactics board to get his message across amidst the Bavarian snow.<\/p>\n

The visitors face a Frankfurt side who have gone off the boil in recent weeks, suffering four straight losses.<\/p>\n

Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmoeller admitted these struggles on Wednesday, saying his side were “on (their) last legs”.<\/p>\n

Frankfurt exited the German Cup at the hands of third-tier Saarbruecken on Wednesday, the side which also eliminated 20-time winners Bayern.<\/p>\n

“There’s a lack of freshness, perhaps also mentally. We have to shake ourselves quickly and try and flick the switch.”<\/p>\n

Europa League title winners in 2021-22, Frankfurt’s Conference League exertions have dented the club’s promising start under Toppmoeller, who joined in the summer.<\/p>\n

Frankfurt had won six and drawn one in a seven-game run in October and November, only dropping points in a pulsating 3-3 draw with Dortmund.<\/p>\n

Toppmoeller, who spent 2021 to 2023 as an assistant coach at Bayern, said his side needed to “show a clear reaction” and not “play the victim” when the German champions visit.<\/p>\n

Starting every league match this season, RB Leipzig’s French centre-back Mohamed Simakan has become a mainstay of the Saxons’ defence, after two inconsistent seasons in Germany.<\/p>\n

Leipzig have conceded 13 goals in 13 games this season, third only to leaders Leverkusen and champions Bayern, who have played one game fewer.<\/p>\n

The 23-year-old told the Bundesliga website on Thursday, Leipzig “can achieve something big” in Saturday’s trip to off-form Borussia Dortmund.<\/p>\n

“There’s a big rivalry between the two clubs and a lot of emotion involved.<\/p>\n

“Our game is based on intensity. If we play with that level of intensity, there are very few teams that can deal with us.”<\/p>\n

18 in 12: Harry Kane has 18 goals in 12 league games. Only nine of the Bundesliga’s 18 teams has more so far this season.<\/p>\n

16 in 11: With 16 goals in 11 games, Serhou Guirassy is hot on Kane’s heels — although the Guinean has only started in nine of those matches.<\/p>\n

Three of eight: Leverkusen, Stuttgart and Borussia Moenchengladbach are the only top-division sides in the German Cup quarter-finals.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n