Nagelsmann puts Bayern on red alert for his return to Hoffenheim

Bayern Munich’s German head coach Julian Nagelsmann gives an interview prior to the UEFA Champions League last-16, second-leg football match FC Bayern Munich vs RB Salzburg in Munich, southern Germany on March 8, 2022. (Photo by CHRISTOF STACHE / AFP)

Julian Nagelsmann has put his Bayern Munich side on red alert for Saturday’s away trip to his former club Hoffenheim who have a knack of upset home wins over the Bundesliga leaders.

With nine league games left, Bayern start the weekend nine points clear in Germany’s top flight, but face a tricky away tie in Sinsheim.

Hoffenheim, who Nagelsmann coached from 2016 until 2019 after rising up through the club’s ranks, are fourth in Germany’s top flight and on a four-match winning streak.

They have won three of the last five home games against Bayern, most recently a 4-1 thumping in 2020 when Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric bagged late goals.

“We are warned,” stressed Bayern head coach Nagelsmann, who describes Hoffenheim as “incredibly dangerous”.

He expects a lively match.

“I’m looking forward to going back,” he said.

“They’ve won their last four games, have a lot of good statistics, put in lots of crosses and intensive runs.

“After us, they have the most kilometres in the opponents half.”

However, Hoffenheim were soundly beaten on their last two visits to Munich, most recently in a 4-0 rout last October.

Their head coach Sebastian Hoeness, nephew of ex-Bayern president Uli Hoeness, has told his side “you can’t lose by much if you play bravely – and that’s what we intend to do”.

At the other end of the table, Borussia Moenchengladbach host Hertha Berlin on Saturday with both clubs under enormous pressure.

Gladbach coach Adi Huetter is quarantined with Covid-19 and his team is low on