VfB visit FC Bayern Munich on Sunday (kick-off 17:30 CEST) in their final away game of the campaign. “We’re not going there for Bayern’s title celebrations but to write our own story,” VfB head coach Pellegrino Matarazzo said on Friday. It is a story that will hopefully have a happy ending, as VfB look to leave the Allianz Arena with a positive result in their fight to stay in the division. “The fact is that we want to pick up points in Munich,” Matarazzo added.
To do so, the VfB players will need to be at the top of their game against the Bundesliga champions. “We go into it believing in our own strengths,” continued the VfB boss. “Then we need courage, toughness and intensity on the pitch and need to perform as a unit. We’re preparing for a full-strength Bayern Munich side who will definitely want to mark the trophy presentation with a win. It’ll be up to us to go into every challenge with 100 per cent commitment.”
There are certain to be plenty of full-blooded tackles in Munich on Sunday. After all, Bayern and Stuttgart have the two strongest duel success rates in the Bundesliga. The hosts have come out on top in 52.5 per cent of their challenges, with VfB just behind on 52.4 per cent.
Konstantinos Mavropanos has been unable to take full part in training in recent days after suffering a muscle injury at the VfB complex. The Greek defender is in a race against time to be fit for the weekend but is expected to return to first-team training on Friday or Saturday. “I’m confident he’ll be involved on Sunday,” said Matarazzo, who may also have to make do without Roberto Massimo. The wide man is struggling with a back problem.
Around 6,300 VfB supporters are expected to make the trip to Munich to support the team.