KAMPALA: Revenge is to be the name of the game when record defending champions Bayern Munich visit VfL Bochum on Sunday evening. Thomas Reis’ exuberant side famously clobbered the Bavarians 4-2 at the Rhurstadion last season in what turned out to be a temporary setback in their march to a tenth consecutive Bundesliga crown. Julian Nagelsmann’s go getters have begun the season like a bullet train, netting an average of four goals per game.
Scoring a hatful of goals from midfield is the Bavarians’ biggest strength in the absence of exiled eight time top scorer Robert Lewandowdki who for long served as a reference point for their attack. Leading from the front is Chelsea academy product Jamal Musiala. The teenage star became the highest scoring under 20 player in Bundesliga history when he bagged his third goal of the season in Bayern’s 2-0 victory over Wolfsburg last weekend.
By the time the Allianz Arena outfit takes on Bochum, they could be trailing perennial bridesmaids Borussia Dortmund by as many as three points as Edin Terzic’s charges are in action a day earlier at home to newly promoted Werder Bremen. The Black and Yellows have overcome the loss of several players to injuries and sickness to post maximum points from their two opening fixtures.
Emerging talents Youssoufa Moukoko, 17, and 18-year-old Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, are pushing for starting slots after coming off the bench to help the Signal Iduna Park side turn around a 0-1 deficit at Freiburg with a goal apiece. Veteran goal poacher Anthony Modeste, a summer signing from Koln, will lead the line along with skipper Marc Reus in the continued absence of indisposed Sebastian Haller.
Bundesliga action gets underway on Friday night with five-time champions Borussia Moenchengladbach taking on Hertha Berlin at Borussia Park. Gladbach coach Daniel Farke will demand maximum concentration after witnessing his team concede an injury time penalty in a 2-2 draw with Schalke last weekend. On form French striker Marcus Thuram, Jonas Hoffman and Alexander Plea will carry the Fowls goal threat
Two of the division’s Champions League representatives are in action on Saturday afternoon. Winless Bayer Leverkusen chase their first points this campaign when they host Hoffenheim at the Bay Arena whereas Domenico Tedesco’s RB Leipzig must contend with a difficult trip to Union Berlin. Leverkusen boss Gerardo Seoane is under pressure not to become the first manager in the club’s history to lose the first three league fixtures of a campaign.
FRIDAY
Gladbach v Hertha Berlin
SATURDAY
Augsburg v Mainz
Bayer Leverkusen v Hoffenheim
Borussia Dortmund v Werder Bremen
Stuttgart v Freiburg
Wolfsburg v Schalke
Union Berlin v RB Leipzig
SUNDAY
Eintracht Frankfurt v Koln
Bochum v Bayern Munich