Bayern Munich vs Werder Bremen: Die Roten seeking maximum points

Bayern Munich will be eager to get back to winning ways as they welcome Werder Bremen to the Allianz Arena this Saturday.

Having had to settle for a scoreless draw against Borussia Dortmund in last weekend’s Klassiker match, die Roten have picked up just one point from their past two games. Whilst this has not knocked Bayern Munich off the top spot in the Bundesliga, the results will not have pleased Pep Guardiola, and he will be demanding a better performance from his side ahead of their tough clash with Juventus next week.

Fortunately, the hosts have a good record when it comes to taking their next opponents. Bayern Munich have won every single one of their past ten games against Werder Bremen, with their last loss taking place back in September 2008. During that run, they have scored a whopping 40 goals, conceding just six. And specifically under Guardiola – who has overseen five of those wins – Bayern Munich have picked up 23 goals whilst giving up just two. For the upcoming game, he will have most of his regulars available, except for the still injured trio of Jerome Boateng, Javi Martinez, and  Holger Badstuber.

Although Werder Bremen have experienced an uptick in form, with two impressive 4-1 consecutive wins over Bayer Leverkusen and Hannover, Viktor Skripnik will be arriving in Munich with a whole host of injuries. Unfortunately, Claudio Pizarro will be unable to travel with  die Grün-Weißen to his old stomping ground and his absence will be keenly felt by the team, who currently sit in 13th place. Despite his advancing years, the 37-year-old Peruvian star has shown no signs of slowing down; he became the oldest ever player to net a hat-trick when he scored three out of the team’s four goals in their demolition of Bayer Leverkusen on March 2nd.

Having netted a total of nine goals since the start of 2016, Pizarro is only second to Robert Lewandowksi in terms of output, and his manager will be missing his experience as Werder Bremen hope to overturn their 7.5 year hoodoo against Bayern Munich. Additional absentees for the visitors will include Clemens Fritz and Zlatko Junuzovic due to suspension, and Aron Jóhannsson, Philipp Bargfrede, and Fin Bartels are among those who will join Pizarro on the treatment table.

Normally, picking up one point from two games sees a team move down in the league table, but fortunately for Bayern Munich fans, die Roten are still on top. However, should they suffer another shock defeat – like the one against Mainz – coupled with a win for Dortmund, then they could see the title race blown back open. Additionally, given that their opponents Juventus will give them a tough fight at the Allianz Arena, Guardiola will be hoping that his squad can warm up for the Serie A giants’ visit by earning maximum points against Werder Bremen.

Will Bayern Munich make it an 11th straight win? Or will Werder Bremen hand them a surprise defeat, making it two home games sans a win for the reigning Bundesliga champions?

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