Kimmich to be sidelined for Stuttgart clash as Bayern focus on Champions League showdown

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are set to face VfB Stuttgart on Friday, aiming for a flawless dress rehearsal ahead of their Champions League last-16 first-leg encounter against Bayer Leverkusen next week.

While Bayern’s management is solely focused on the upcoming clash in Stuttgart to maintain their position at the top, the anticipation surrounding their all-German Champions League tie against the reigning Bundesliga champions has captured the attention of fans across Germany since the draw.

Bayern have claimed victory in eight of their last nine league matches, amassing 58 points and sitting eight points clear of second-placed Leverkusen. However, they have struggled against Xabi Alonso’s side, failing to secure a win in their last six meetings under the Spaniard, marking one of the most thrilling rivalries in German football in recent years.

“The match in Stuttgart is vital for us as we aim to safeguard our leading position in the table,” stated Bayern’s sports director Max Eberl during a press conference on Thursday.

“It won’t be straightforward against a robust team that has competed in the Champions League this season. For us, it’s effectively a Champions League match against a Champions League side. The implications for the Leverkusen game remain to be seen.”

Coach Vincent Kompany is likely to be without defensive midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who is still nursing a thigh injury and won’t feature in Stuttgart.

“It’s improbable that Joshua will join the squad for this match. It has come a bit too soon, barring any miraculous recovery,” Kompany remarked.

On a positive note, midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic, who missed recent training sessions, is set to return.

Meanwhile, Leverkusen face a challenging task as they visit third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. The hosts are eager to recover from last week’s 4-0 defeat to Bayern as they vie for a top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.

Eintracht currently hold 42 points, sitting three points ahead of Freiburg in fourth place.

In another noteworthy clash, fellow Champions League contenders Borussia Dortmund, who are set to play Lille in their own Round of 16 tie on Tuesday, aim to build on their impressive 6-0 victory over Union Berlin with another win at St Pauli on Saturday.

Dortmund, who risk missing out on Champions League qualification next season, have secured just one win in three league games under new coach Niko Kovac, placing them in 10th position with 32 points.