Can Nuremberg rally against league leaders?

style="float: right; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: 600;"Sat 26th Jan, 2013

After the convincing 6-0 drubbing of minnows Ingolstadt 04 in the German Cup, derby week continues for Bayern Munich as they entertain struggling 1. FC Nuremberg in the Bundesliga.

Nuremberg haven't won in the Bavarian capital since March 1992 and have a pitiful record of just one win in 24 games in Munich. The Franconians latest form also fails to inspire confidence going into Saturday's clash, having failed to win in five games with two straight away defeats.

Visiting coach Dieter Hecking remains unfazed going into this seemingly "David versus Goliath" derby clash with the underdogs perched precariously just outside the relegation zone in 13th place.

"Everybody expects us to lose anyway so that could be our chance," said Hecking who interestingly perhaps has never lost in four games as coach against his experienced counterpart Jupp Heynckes.

The dominant record Bundesliga champions, on the other hand, sit proudly at the top of the table and have coasted to victory in their last four home league games with a combined goal difference of 19-0. Manuel Neuer hasn't conceded a goal in 388 minutes at the Allianz Arena (since the opening game defeat against Borussia Moenchengladbach).

Bayern captain Philipp Lahm is concerned the kudos of the 55th Bavarian Derby match could be lost on some of his team mates.

Lahm stated: "For me as a Bavarian it is definitely something special to play against Nuremberg and experience such a derby, but I don't think there are many others in the team who share my feeling."

"There are only a few individuals like Thomas Mueller, for example, for whom this game will be special, but for the rest it will be a game just like any other," he added.

The Reds remain three points clear at the top of the Bundesliga (ahead of Borussia Dortmund) despite slipping to a shock 2-1 defeat in Hanover last weekend.

"A win is our aim, even better if we do it in an impressive and dominant manner," added Lahm, who was one of several members of the FCB 'A' Team rested for the midweek cup demolition of Ingolstadt.

'A who's who' of international football, including Franck Ribery, Mario Gomez, Manuel Neuer and Bastian Schweinsteiger were afforded a break by Heynckes with a view to more important fixtures ahead.

Don't expect an early goal, neither side has conceded during the opening 15 minutes of a game this season.

Prediction Bayern Munich 2 Nuremberg 0

 

 


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