After a superb performance in their Bundesliga opener, it seemed that despite a shortened pre-season and the absence of Arjen Robben, Bayern had hit the ground running. That all changed in round two, as the defending champions were beaten 2-0 by last year’s 2. Bundesliga winners Kaiserslautern.
And now, with one victory and one defeat to their record, Bayern face a big challenge in Werder Bremen. It may be a home match, but the record champions have not beaten Bremen at the Allianz Arena in five years. For centre half Daniel van Buyten, that is a possible benefit.
“That’s a fact which will make us even more motivated and fired up,” he told the club’s official website.
Another player who is especially motivated for the upcoming match is former Bremen striker Miroslav Klose, who since his 2007 move to Bayern has yet to net against his ex-club.
“It’s high time I scored against Werder,” the 32-year old said.
To the benefit of both Klose and Bayern as a whole, Bremen’s injury crisis in central defence may be a decisive factor. Per Mertesacker and Naldo have been ruled out of tomorrow’s match, which suggests that the Bayern attack may have an easier-than-usual path towards goal.
Whether the path is easy or difficult, Bayern will need to be sure to score. Thomas Mueller, who missed a sitter early against Kaiserslautern, knows this best. If the hosts put away their chances early, they could be in for a rout. But anything less, and they may enter matchday four with just one win to their record.
Thomas Schaaf Not Fazed By Injury Crisis
As often is the case with Werder Bremen, the season began with a few bumps, but the northern team has managed to rebound. After going down 3-0 to Sampdoria in a Champions League play-off, Thomas Schaaf’s men forced injury time and eventually advanced to the group stage. After losing their Bundesliga opener 4-1 to Hoffenheim, they comfortably dispatched Koeln by a 4-2 score.
Heading into this weekend’s clash with Bayern Munich, Schaaf’s side will hope to build on their momentum, and will take comfort from the fact that they have not lost in Munich in five years. However, an injury crisis could prove a major hindrance to their progress. As previously mentioned, Mertesacker and Naldo are missing, but striker Claudio Pizarro has also been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Still, Schaaf is relishing what he expects to be a tantalizing clash in what for him is the true beginning to the Bundesliga campaign.
"There was a lot of restlessness and plenty of speculation in the last weeks of the transfer window,” he told the official Bremen website. “Now you know what every team has available, the facts are clear. The season can start now."
In spite of the long injury list to his team, Schaaf expects a good performance.
"No matter how many players we were missing we always played excellent in the past. I hope we are confident enough in Munich to once again prove our ability.
"We have seen the potential this team has. Regarding the implementation of our game plan, we can improve and we are ready to do so."
TEAM NEWS
Bayern Munich
Many Bayern stars left for international duty, but none came back injured. Arjen Robben remains the only unfit player in Louis van Gaal’s squad, meaning that even Breno could make a long-awaited appearance if needed. Toni Kroos is expected to regain his starting role in attacking midfield, and will support either Ivica Olic or Miroslav Klose.
Probable Starting XI: Butt - Lahm, Van Buyten, Badstuber, Contento - Van Bommel, Schweinsteiger - Mueller, Kroos, Ribery - Olic
Werder Bremen
Claudio Pizarro has lost his race for fitness and will definitely miss tomorrow’s match, but Thomas Schaaf’s biggest concern is in central defence. First-choice pair Naldo and Per Mertesacker are both out, meaning that Sebastian Proedl and new signing Mikael Silvestre will have to deputise. On the plus side, Wesley is expected to make his first appearance, and is expected to be given a left-sided berth.
Probable Starting XI: Wiese - Fritz, Silvestre, Proedl, Pasanen - Bargfrede, Frings - Marin, Hunt, Wesley - Arnautovic
Prediction
Bremen may be good going forward, but injuries to Mertesacker and Naldo will likely lose them the game. Mikael Silvestre has admitted that he is not fully fit, and Bayern will look to exploit a makeshift Bremen defence by counterattacking.
Bayern Munich 2-2 Werder Bremen 
