Heynckes eyes record as Bayern take on Hertha, fans plot boycott of Monday fixture
>> BERLIN: Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes will be chasing a 38-yearold club record when his team host Hertha Berlin today, but will do so without the injured James Rodriguez.
Heynckes is looking to become the first Bayern coach to win 15 games in a row as his team look to consolidate a commanding 19-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga.
Second-place Borussia Dortmund host Augsburg on Monday, with fans from both sides set to boycott the game.
Elsewhere, Bruno Labbadia was to take charge of Wolfsburg for the first time against Mainz late last night Thai time, while RB Leipzig look set to host Cologne without star midfielder Naby Keita tomorrow.
Heynckes has worked wonders since returning to Bayern Munich, and he looks set to break an incredible club record today.
The 72-year-old Heynckes, who has led Bayern to 23 victories in 24 games since October, watched his side romp to victory over Besiktas in midweek to pick up a 14th consecutive win, equalling a club record set under Pal Csernai back in 1980.
Bayern are expected to be without Rodriguez, who was forced to leave the pitch after 44 minutes against Besiktas with a calf problem.
A diagnosis on Wednesday confirmed that the Colombian will be out of action for no more than a few days.
More fan protests are expected when Borussia Dortmund take on Augsburg in the Bundesliga’s second Monday night fixture.
Last week’s inaugural Monday game saw fierce protests from Eintracht Frankfurt fans, who blew whistles and held up banners in protest at the new scheduling.
This Monday, both Dortmund and Augsburg fan groups are expected to continue protests. Around 300 Dortmund fan clubs have reportedly signed up to a boycott led by the influential fan group “Suedtribuene Dortmund”.
“We accept every opinion and every protest, as long as it is carried out peacefully,” said Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.