Bayern Munich seeking ideal formation against Hamburg
Bayern Munich travel to a Hamburg side under new management still finding their way after changing tactics midway through their Champions League win over Manchester City.
Munich boss Pep Guardiola switched from a 3-4-1-2 system to a 4-1-2-3 in the middle of their victory over City, and the moved paid off as Bayern played one of their strongest matches of the season, culminating in Jerome Boateng's 90th-minute winner.
"We presented ourselves as a unit," said sports director Matthias Sammer.
Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge added: "That was the best match we have played so far this season."
Guardiola would not reveal what system he would use against Hamburg. "We had problems controlling the ball, that's why we changed from a three-man backline to a four-man one," said Guardiola.
Missing from the City game was Franck Ribery, who will sit out the Hamburg contest as well.
"I don't know how long I will miss," said the Frenchman, who is dealing with a knee issue.
Last-placed Hamburg have their own issues, though they hope to have resolved some of them with the sacking of Mirko Slomka after one point and zero goals scored in three matches. The new man at the helm is former Hamburg under-23 team boss Josef Zinnbauer.
Things do not start too easily for Zinnbauer with Bayern, who he calls "the best team in the world". But Hamburg also have nothing to lose.
"The result is irrelevant. There is no other team who can dominate like Bayern. What is important to me is that we give a good account of ourselves and play as a unit," said Zinnbauer.
Leaders Bayer Leverkusen look to continue their roll away to VfL Wolfsburg, who have yet to win this season.
Leverkusen are the top-scoring team in the league with nine goals in three games - and they will be intent on bouncing back after a 1-0 Champions League loss in Monaco.
Best Free Bet Offers - Provided by engagesuperleague.co.uk
Click any of the bookmakers name to activate your free bet now.
1. Unibet (sign up offer – free £20)
Deposit £20, bet with £40. Create a Unibet account here >>.
2. 7epta7 (bonus 175% up to €500)
Permanent member bonus 5% up to 25%. Create a 7epta7 account here >>.
3. Bet365 (sign up offer - £200 in free bets)
Deposit £200, bet with £400. Create a Bet365 account here >>.
4. Offsidebet (sign up offer - £25 in free bets)
Deposit £25, bet with £50. Create a new Offsidebet account here >>.
5. Sky Bet (sign up offer – no deposit free £30)
Deposit 0, bet with £30. Create a new Sky Bet account here >>.
Atletico Madrid may be forced into changes for the visit of Celta Vigo as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to La Liga.The euphoria of last weekend's 2-1 derby victory over rivals Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu was[…]
After an indifferent week following the 2-2 draw against Manchester City and the flattering 2-0 loss against Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal travel to Villa Park effectively needing their second win of the season, lest they fall as much as potentially 9[…]
Vincenzo Montella marks his 100th Fiorentina match in their Europa League meeting with Guingamp. “We care about this competition.”The Viola have stuttered so far this season in Serie A, earning one point from two games and failing to score a[…]
Paris Saint-Germain travel to Amsterdam on Wednesday to face four-time European champions AFC Ajax in their opening UEFA Champions League Group F clash.Les Parisiens come into the game off the back of a 1-1 draw at Stade Rennais last weekend[…]
The Bianconeri start their Champions League campaign for the 2014-15 season at home to the Swedish side very much favourites to win, but with their Coach cautious, particularly in facing a Pressroom asking today about the quarter-finals as an objective.Max[…]
Fernando Torres will make his Serie A debut with AC Milan in Sunday's match at Parma.The Spanish striker joined the Rossoneri outfit on a two-year loan deal from Chelsea earlier this month.AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi was delighted to land[…]
Olympique de Marseille are eager to get back into action as they prepare to face bottom club Evian-Thonon-Gaillard FC at the Parc des Sports d'Annecy on Sunday after a fortnight overshadowed by disagreements off the pitch.Coach Marcelo Bielsa revealed last[…]
A host of new signings could make Bundesliga debuts this weekend, with a familiar face at Borussia Dortmund set to command the most attention.In the first round of fixtures since the transfer window closed, Dortmund appear likely to hand a[…]
10 September 2014 13:20Theo Walcott expects Danny Welbeck to be a shrewd signing for Arsenal but urged his new team-mate to be more selfish in front of goal.Welbeck joined the London club from Premier League rivals Manchester United in a[…]
10 September 2014 12:19Former Leeds United striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has declared an interest in becoming the Yorkshire club’s new manager.Controversial Leeds owner Massimo Cellino ended Dave Hockaday’s tenure as head coach after just six games at the end of[…]
