UNBEATABLE RUN: BAYERN MUNICH EXTENDS STREAK, EYES 52-YEAR BUNDESLIGA MILESTONE

Bayern Munich will equal a 52-year-old Bundesliga record by staying top for a 43rd consecutive round, regardless of their result against Freiburg. The streak matches their 1972-73 feat.

Unbeatable Run: Bayern Munich Extends Streak, Eyes 52-Year Bundesliga Milestone
Bayern Will Equal 1970s Record

Even in the unlikely event of a home defeat to Freiburg, Bayern Munich will tie a league record that has stood for 52 years due to their long-standing dominance in the Bundesliga.

Regardless of the outcome in Munich on Saturday, Vincent Kompany's squad will sit at the top of the Bundesliga, equaling the 1972 record established by Bayern from March 1972 to the end of the 1972–73 campaign, when legends like Franz Beckenbauer, Paul Breitner, Gerd Müller, and Uli Hoeneß led the team to its second and third Bundesliga championships.

Kicker magazine reports that the record ended in the 1973–74 season's first round when the Udo Lattek-led Bayern team defeated Fortuna Düsseldorf with a "comfortable" 3-1 score, while Stuttgart triumphed with a 3-0 victory over Schalke. That season, Bayern went on to secure their third successive title.

This season, Union Berlin halted Bayern's impressive 16-game winning streak just before the international break. The Bavarian giants will be eager to start another winning stretch against Freiburg before heading to Arsenal on Wednesday for the Champions League. With ten matches played, Bayern currently holds a six-point lead over Leipzig in the Bundesliga.

Freiburg has not managed to beat Bayern since May 2015, and they have never won a league match in Munich, where they have endured some heavy defeats. After losing their first two league games, Freiburg has only lost to Bayer Leverkusen since then.

On Saturday, Borussia Dortmund, currently in third place, will face fourth-placed Stuttgart, with Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi hoping to draw attention for his performance rather than for the possession of illegal weapons. Adeyemi stated that the item came into his possession after he ordered a "mystery box" online.

This Saturday will see struggling Wolfsburg host Leverkusen for the first time since parting ways with their sporting director and coach. Leverkusen aims for better results ahead of their away match against Manchester City on Tuesday.

Eintracht Frankfurt, another Champions League contender, will visit Cologne late Saturday.

In a 2-2 draw against Union, Luis Diaz, who has been impressive for Bayern, scored what could be termed the season's best goal from a difficult angle. Since joining Bayern from Liverpool, the Colombian forward has netted 11 goals and provided five assists in his first 17 outings for the team.

Hoffenheim's leading scorer, Fisnik Asllani, who has netted five goals, has participated in every game so far. Mainz will be wary of the threat he poses.

Stuttgart forward Deniz Undav, who recently returned from an injury, was not selected for Germany's World Cup qualifiers. After scoring two goals before the international break, he played against Dortmund in hopes of remaining on Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann's radar for the upcoming World Cup.

Following the injury that kept wing defender Álex Grimaldo out of Spain's World Cup qualifying match against Turkey on Tuesday, Leverkusen is concerned about his fitness. Grimaldo had already been at his limits and missed Leverkusen's 3-0 defeat to Bayern. He has become a vital player for Leverkusen after many key players left during the summer.

After suffering a leg injury during the Club World Cup in July, Jamal Musiala returned to ball training with Bayern last week. The club plans for the 22-year-old forward to get some playing time in December and be fully fit by January when the league resumes after its 2 ½-week winter break.

MATTHAUS WARNS KOMPANY: DO NOT CHANGE ATTACKING STYLE DESPITE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXIT

Bayern have secured the Bundesliga! Read why Matthaus wants more "spectacular football" despite the 6-5 aggregate loss to PSG.

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Matthaus Demands Loyalty To Kompany’s Aggressive Tactical Vision - Photo Credit: IMAGO/Markus Ulmer

Lothar Matthaus has called on Vincent Kompany to continue with his attacking style, despite Bayern Munich's exit from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. The German legend feels Bayern’s entertaining approach shouldn’t be altered even though their defence showed vulnerabilities during the 6-5 aggregate loss in the semi-finals.

After conceding six goals over two legs, Bayern’s Champions League run came to an end. While the defeat exposed defensive issues, it also highlighted the offensive strategy Kompany has brought to the team. These defensive struggles aren’t limited to Europe either; high-scoring Bundesliga matches, like the 4-3 win over Mainz and the 3-3 draw with Heidenheim, have revealed a back line that’s still trying to find the right balance between taking risks and maintaining solidity.

Matthaus, who once captained Bayern, stresses that the club should stick with Kompany’s attacking mindset, even if it leaves them open at the back. He pointed out, “With such an attacking style of play, you can't defend everything, of course. Yes, they've conceded quite a few goals, but they’re still having a successful season and are close to winning the double. They’ve even made it to the Champions League semi-finals.”

The return of excitement at the Allianz Arena was clear, especially during the second leg when Ousmane Dembele’s early goal stunned the crowd. Although Harry Kane’s late equaliser wasn’t enough to turn the tie around, Matthaus sees positives in the bigger picture. He believes Bayern has brought back the thrill and flair fans expect.

“While Bayern didn’t play their best in the semi-final second leg against PSG, they have entertained throughout the year. I look forward to their matches because they’re usually packed with goals. Bayern stands for spectacular football, and this season has been no different. I wouldn’t move away from that style,” Matthaus shared.

With the focus shifting back to domestic competitions, Bayern have already secured the Bundesliga championship. They still have two league games left against Wolfsburg and Koln before preparing for the DFB-Pokal final against Stuttgart on May 23.

BAYERN MUNICH RULE OUT MARCUS RASHFORD MOVE REGARDLESS OF ANTHONY GORDON OUTCOME

Marcus Rashford is not a target for Bayern Munich this summer, as the club focuses entirely on signing Gordon from Newcastle.

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Bayern Munich excluded Marcus Rashford from their summer plans - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Bayern Munich aren’t considering a move for Marcus Rashford this summer, no matter what happens with Anthony Gordon. That’s according to a German reporter who’s close to the story.

Right now, Rashford is wrapping up his loan at Barcelona. He’s set to return to Manchester United at the end of the season. Barcelona have an option to make the deal permanent for €30 million (£26 million) in the summer. Both Rashford and Barcelona want him to stay, but here’s the catch: the club doesn’t want to pay the full €30 million.

Barcelona would rather keep Rashford on loan for another year or get him for a lower fee. Manchester United’s not having it. They want the full price, so Barcelona are starting to look at other players.

Rashford hasn’t made a secret of where he wants to be. Earlier in the season, he told Sport, one of the local Barcelona papers, about how much he wants to stay, saying, “Of course, what I want is to stay at Barca. It’s the ultimate goal.” He talked about the pressure and expectations at the club, saying they keep him motivated and that he feels like he’s in the perfect environment to grow and win trophies. For now, though, it’s all up in the air until next summer.

Last year, Bayern Munich actually showed some interest in Rashford before he went to Barcelona. But now, they’re focused on signing Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United for the left wing. The problem is, Gordon’s interested, but Newcastle’s price is ridiculous, reportedly around £80 million (€92.6 million). That’s much higher than what Bayern’s willing to pay. They’re thinking closer to £60 million (€69.4 million), and maybe with add-ons or an instalment plan. If Newcastle won’t budge, it probably isn’t happening.

Christian Falk, a trusted journalist from Bild, says Bayern aren’t considering Rashford as a backup if they can’t land Gordon. Bayern’s got a short list of players for the left wing, and Rashford isn’t on it. Gordon’s their main focus, but even if that deal falls through, Rashford’s not the next in line.

So at this stage, Bayern and Rashford won’t be coming together this summer, even if Gordon stays at Newcastle. That’s just not in the plans.

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