Bay Bay, old luck
> Bayern aim for fresh start, Dortmund to continue form
THE Bundesliga returns from the international break with leaders Borussia Dortmund hosting RB Leipzig in a cracker but attention is likely to be focussed on Jupp Heynckes’ return to Bayern Munich.
The Bavarian record champions host lowly Freiburg tomorrow, sitting five points behind Dortmund in second, but circumstances mean the game is anything but routine.
Sixteen days after Carlo Ancelotti was dismissed, the 72-year-old Heynckes will be on the Bayern bench to herald the start of his fourth era at the club where he won the treble in 2013.
“They left us with the best memories in 2013, so we’ll try to follow on from that,” Thomas Muller said on Bayern TV of Heynckes’ return, and that of assistants Peter Hermann and Hermann Gerland.
“They’re a familiar team who bring a lot of joy and complement each other well, which can only help us. There’s no time for settling in.”
Freiburg climbed to 15th with their first win of the season in their last outing but expect a tough contest in Munich.
“It’s Bayern’s first game under Jupp Heynckes – let’s wait and see what happens,” forward Marco Terrazzino told a press conference.
While Bayern have been forced to make an early coaching change, Dortmund could not be happier with the impact made by Dutch boss Peter Bosz since he took over in summer.
Dortmund kept a record five consecutive clean sheets to open the league campaign and have 19 points with a goal difference of 19 – also club records.
“We have yet to play against the biggest teams,” Bosz told the club homepage. “But we’ve played Hertha, and Gladbach. They’re both ambitious sides.”
Dortmund were, however, defeated in both Champions League games so far and face another member of the elite competition in Leipzig in tomorrow’s late game.
Ralph Hasenhuettl’s side are now up to fourth having initially struggled for the consistency which brought them a sensational runnersup spot in their maiden top-flight season.
They could be further boosted by Timo Werner returning from a neck injury though Rangnick stressed only a late decision would be made.
The weekend opens today with newly-promoted VfB Stuttgart hosting bottom club Cologne, who are refusing to let a poor start with just one point dent their confidence.
Werder Bremen, 17th and the only other side without a win, host Borussia Moenchengladbach late Sunday after Bayer Leverkusen meet Wolfsburg.
Tomorrow’s other matches see third-place Hoffenheim take on Augsburg and Hanover, in fifth, look to maintain their strong start at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Midtable Hertha Berlin and Schalke will both target the European spots during their capital clash while Mainz and SV Hamburg hope to move away from the relegation fight. – dpa