Bayern brace for Klinsmann’s Hertha, leaders Leipzig ready for promoted Union
>> BERLIN: Bundesliga’s tightest title race in years resumes this week following the winter break with champions Bayern Munich planning their comeback after a shaky first half to their campaign.
The Bavarians, in third place four points behind leaders RB Leipzig, take on former coach Juergen Klinsmann’s Hertha Berlin tomorrow with several players still nursing injuries, including winger Serge Gnabry, Niklas Suele and Javi Martinez.
There is some good news for interim Bayern coach Hansi Flick, who took over from Nico Kovac in November, as Robert Lewandowski, the league’s top scorer, returned to training this week after minor surgery late last year.
But Flick has openly demanded reinforcements during the winter transfer window if his team are to
continue delivering the goods in three competitions.
Among his wishes are a winger and a defender.
“We all have high goals and we need to form the basis to reach those high goals,” Flick had said during their training camp in Qatar earlier this month.
“We have to see that maybe during the winter period we can regulate a few things.” So far Bayern have made no move on the transfer market.
They finished 2019 strongly, with 11 goals in their last three league games to climb back up to third but they will need to pick up where they left off with Klinsmann eager to give his former club a run for their money.
The former Germany coach took over at Hertha Berlin in November and has pledged to turn the club’s fortunes around.
“I have played in cities like London and Milan where the club’s importance is extremely high. Berlin deserves that as well,” Klinsmann said.
Leaders RB Leipzig, top on 37 points, should have few problems when they host promoted Union Berlin. REUTERS
FIXTURES
(kick-offs 9.30pm Thai time unless stated)
Today Hoffenheim v Eintracht Frankfurt, Fortuna Duesseldorf v Werder Bremen, Mainz v Freiburg, Augsburg v Borussia Dortmund, Cologne v VfL Wolfsburg, RB Leipzig v Union Berlin (00.30am, Sun)
Tomorrow
Hertha Berlin v Bayern Munich, Paderborn v Bayer Leverkusen (midnight)