Bayern Munich vs. Hannover: Key Issues That Will Shape Bundesliga Game
Bayern Munich resume their Bundesliga campaign against Hannover on Saturday, just four days after edging CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.
The Bavarians were criticized for lacking sharpness at both ends of the pitch in midweek, and will look to silence their doubters as they aim to extend their lead in the German domestic league.
Hannover will have a tough task, especially as they visit the Allianz Arena, but in the recent past have proven themselves more than capable of an upset. The Lower Saxony side stand sixth in the table now and just four points adrift of the leaders.
On the eve of Saturday's match, B/R analyzes the factors that could tip the scale in favor of either side. Click "Begin Slideshow" for a closer look.
Whether Robert Lewandowski Will Find His Form
1 of 5
Things would be so much better for Bayern if Robert Lewandowski were in the form that made him an international superstar at Dortmund. Instead, he's scored just twice in 10 appearances in all competitions and is under increasing pressure to start converting at a greater rate.
Via Kicker (h/t ESPN), Manuel Neuer and captain Philipp Lahm recently called upon their team to be more ruthless in front of goal. That of course begins with the main striker, Lewandowski.
As the focal point of the Bayern attack, he'll need to start converting sooner or later if the Bavarians are to reach their season targets. If he's off form against Hannover, it could mean a third Bundesliga draw or worse for the two-time defending German champions.
Joselu's Bag of Tricks
2 of 5
Joselu will be the most dangerous player in the Hannover team as they take on Bayern, and it's the Spaniard with whom Pep Guardiola will be most concerned entering Saturday's match.
The 24-year-old striker has found the target twice in six Bundesliga matches thus far, a respectable if not extraordinary tally. But it's not his prolificacy that will be Bayern's main concern; it's his propensity to score wonder-goals, the kind that can hardly be defended against.
Joselu has many times in the past provided a touch of brilliance that stunned opposing sides even against the run of play. And facing Bayern, there is no greater stage he will see this season.
Thomas Muller's Form Against His Favorite Opponents
3 of 5
Still just 25 years of age, Thomas Muller has faced Hannover 11 times in his career. There is no other team against which he's scored more goals. With seven strikes (and four assists as well) against Hannover, his tally against the Lower Saxony side is only equaled by that against Stuttgart. The difference is, he's played 14 games against VfB and only 11 against Hannover.
Muller has generally enjoyed good form since the last international break and has found the net twice and assisted three more goals in his last three matches. Bayern have been more reliant upon Mario Gotze as of late, but Saturday would be a good time for Muller to take on the leadership role.
Hannover Substitutes'
4 of 5
There are few teams in the Bundesliga with injury woes that compare with those of Bayern, but Hannover are one of them. The Lower Saxony side will be without a lengthy list of starters and key squad players, including Edgar Prib, Lars Stindl, Andre Hoffmann, Salif Sane and Leon Andreasen.
Hannover's team is very different this season from the last, and they'll need big performances from many of their newcomers. Ceyhun Gulselam, Maurice Hirsch and Miiko Albornoz are all likely to start and are new to football at the highest level in Germany. They'll have to be in peak form as they take on the Bundesliga's perennial superpower, Bayern.
Xabi Alonso's Fitness
5 of 5
When Xabi Alonso plays and does so well, Bayern do much better in the Bundesliga. Or so results have shown.
The two games in which Bayern were held to draws are also those in which the Spaniard has played the fewest minutes (68 and 37). Generally, Alonso brings assuredness to the Bayern team in their build-up: Think Bastian Schweinsteiger, but with better passing accuracy.
Alonso set a Bundesliga record with 204 touches of the ball against Koln last weekend, a staggering tally of one contact approximately every 26 seconds. He's in great form. But he also has played 180 minutes since last Saturday.
With Schweinsteiger and Thiago Alcantara both unavailable due to knee injuries, there is no fit player in the Bayern squad who can bring what Alonso can to the team; as a result, he'll probably start. Considering he turns 33 in November, it would be a big ask for Alonso to go the distance in a third full game in a week. His fitness will be key.
