Exciting Bundesliga action returns with Bayern Munich headlining Saturday's lineup with a highly anticipated matchup against long-time rival Schalke 04.
The stature of both teams has changed massively in the past decade, as Schalke fell from grace and dropped to the second division while Bayern Munich continued to dominate the German top flight.
Nonetheless, this matchup always guarantees top-tier attacking football and lots of goals that would satisfy any audience tuning in to watch.
Goals and lots of them indeed. Bayern Munich came out on top in the last 12 matches, scoring an impressive 42 goals while only conceding two.
The most memorable victory has to be the season opener in 2020/21 when debutant Leroy Sane dropped a masterclass against his former team in an 8-0 rout.
To make matters worse, Schalke 04, the underdog, will face a gruelling task of stopping the winning machine Bayern Munich, who are unbeaten in the last 26 Bundesliga outings.
The German record champion looks to extend this streak and break their longest run of 33 unbeaten games from 2012 to 2014, during which time period they won the Treble.
This trip will be a memorable and bittersweet one for Bayern captain Manuel Neuer, as it might be his last trip back to Gelsenkirchen as a player.
Neuer started his career in royal blue before donning Bayern red and white colours. Since then, he has never lost against Schalke, with 17 wins in 20.
The 40-year-old goalkeeper will go head-to-head against another Bundesliga veteran, Edin Dzeko.
Dzeko, who also turned 40 this year, famously played with Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany at Manchester City.
He had some high praise for his former captain: "What Kompany has already achieved is incredible. He was always a captain and a leader, so none of this surprises me.
"I’m looking forward to seeing him. Hopefully, he won’t take things quite so seriously on Saturday."
Bayern's man up front will also be looking forward to this game. Schalke is the 21st team Harry Kane will face in the Bundesliga, and the Englishman has scored against all 20 other teams.
Positive squad news for Bayern fans is that Jamal Musiala is back with the team travelling to Arena AufSchalke.
The German international had two scary moments in the preseason when he collapsed on the field, but has been medically cleared to play in the second matchday.
Add us as a preferred source on Google