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FC Bayern uses the last Bundesliga week of the year to get involved outside the field.
Jérôme Boateng and David Alaba surprised children in hospitals by video call and sent them fan articles from their club, and the German record champions also sold symbolic tickets for their last home game in 2020 against VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday (8.30 p.m., Sky and WELT live ticker) ).
The proceeds go to children in need.
In terms of sport, the next few days can be groundbreaking for the Munich team, as they face two strong teams.
And seem more vulnerable than they have been in a long time.
The game against Wolfsburg will be followed by the top game in the league against league leaders Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday evening.
The Bavarians have to prove their flexibility in two hardship tests within four days due to personnel concerns.
Bayern almost only play in a three-day rhythm - a workload that pushes the players to their limits
Source: AFP / TOBIAS SCHWARZ
Leverkusen is first for the first time in more than six years.
Wolfsburg and the Rhinelander have conceded fewer goals than Munich and are the only teams that have not yet lost this league season.
This week could show whether the two teams play longer at the top - and can even annoy Bayern in the championship fight.
Bayern's defense is vulnerable
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“These are two big obstacles that we have to jump over, two important games,” said coach Hans-Dieter “Hansi” Flick.
“The table is very tight at the moment.
That's what everyone longed for, it's exciting.
It's in our own hands in both games.
That would be big points.
We want to throw everything in again that we have.
Six points are our goal by Christmas. ”Should Bayern win or draw against Wolfsburg, they would for the first time since 1981 complete a year without a competitive defeat at their home stadium.
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You've already scored 35 goals, but you're surprisingly vulnerable at the back.
With 17 goals conceded, they are currently just average defensively.
They almost lost to promoted 1. FC Union Berlin last weekend.
In the 1-1 draw, the Munich team fell behind in their fifth league game in a row - the last time that happened to them in 2008/09 under the then coach Jürgen Klinsmann.
Overall, they were behind in seven of the last nine competitive games - but did not lose any of them.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer recently demanded that the team have to keep conceding more often.
In addition, Flick doesn't have as many options in terms of personnel as hoped.
Javi Martinez, Tanguy Nianzou and Joshua Zirkzee are injured.
Leon Goretzka is also out against Wolfsburg, the midfielder is plagued by a muscle injury.
Flick hopes that Goretzka can play again against Leverkusen.
Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer conceded three goals against Leipzig alone
Source: Pool via REUTERS
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In the game on Saturday, Joshua Kimmich, who was injured for a longer time, could also be back in the squad.
The national player recently trained with the team - surprisingly early after his meniscus injury.
“It's looking very good with Joshua.
The coming days must show how he copes with the training.
We will decide together whether he will be there at the weekend or not until January ”, emphasized Flick.
Niklas Süle has overcome his bruise.
Wolfsburg arrives with a lot of self-confidence
How confident the Wolfsburg are after their many victories is shown by their statements.
"We don't want to hide and we won't park the bus in front of the gate," said midfielder Xaver Schlager.
Flick warns his team: Wolfsburg have an "enormous greed for goals" and with Wout Weghorst one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga.
The Dutchman is the third best striker in the league with nine goals.
"A weapon," says Flick.
Even with standards, the VfL is very dangerous.
However, the record speaks for Flick's team: Wolfsburg is still without a league win in Munich, only secured two points in 23 matches.
Wout Weghorst (M) and VfL Wolfsburg are still unbeaten in the Bundesliga season - but Bayern are favorites
Source: pa / SVEN SIMON - / Frank Hoermann - SVEN SIMON
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Robert Lewandowski scored 21 goals in 19 league games against Wolfsburg - only Bayern striker Gerd Müller scored more goals against an opponent in the history of the Bundesliga.
On Thursday the election for world footballer rises, Lewandowski has high hopes.
He forms the top three with Lionel Messi from FC Barcelona and Cristiano Ronaldo from Juventus Turin.
"It would be nice if he could add one or two goals against Wolfsburg," said Flick.
“The choice is his big goal and his dream.
There is no one who deserves it like Robert.
The whole club keeps its fingers crossed for him. "
Christmas party is canceled due to the corona pandemic
With his enormous acceleration, Leroy Sané could also be a key player in the two groundbreaking games.
Before the game at Union, Flick let the offensive star play three times from the start, but Sané did not set the accents he had hoped for.
"Leroy sees it like me that he still has room for improvement," said Flick now.
“He has enormous qualities and gets all the support and the time he needs.
I think it's important to see the whole: serious injury, new club, new football idea, injured again and the training units for automatisms are also missing. "
"Leroy still has room for improvement"
Leroy Sane was FC Bayern Munich's transfer king last summer, but he hasn't really hit the mark yet.
Hansi Flick demands more from his star.
Source: Stats Perform News
Therefore it is not easy for the new players to find their way into it.
“We still have to improve there, we have potential.
We used this week to do something new and hope that it will work in both games. ”Flick did not reveal exactly what that was.
The short winter vacation for the Bayern stars will begin next week.
There won't be a Christmas party because of the pandemic, they'll be playing again on January 3rd, against 1. FSV Mainz 05. Even during their vacation, all players have to adhere to the Corona regulations, “There aren't any for us either Exceptions, ”says Flick.
Sports director Hasan Salihamidžić and the club doctor Dr.
Roland Schmidt pointed this out to the team.
"The players know what they can and cannot do."