Bayern Munich visits RB Leipzig…are you ready?
According to a report from kicker journalist Georg Holzner (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), Eric Dier’s departure could really hit the squad’s depth hard because another defender might not see the field again in 2025.
Hiroki Itō is “not guaranteed” to play for the club in this calendar year. That could mean that Bayern Munich will be without both Alphonso Davies and Itō for the Hinrunde of the 2025/26 campaign:
In addition to Eric Dier’s departure, it’s currently not guaranteed that Hiroki Itō will play again for Bayern in 2025. His recurrent metatarsal fracture requires extreme caution. Therefore, Bayern’s need to strengthen the backline this summer is even bigger.
Itō has the requisite talent and skill to be a Bayern Munich regular, but consecutive metatarsal injuries have left his ability to stay healthy consistently in doubt. After suffering the initial injury during the preseason, Itō suffered a setback before ultimately making it back on the field — only to get hurt and miss the rest of the 2024/25 season.
Now, board member for sport Max Eberl might be facing the prospect of needing to bolster the left-back position as Davies will be out until at least October (at the absolute earliest…most do not want to see him rushed back before January), Itō’s status is uncertain, and Adam Aznou might not be ready.
In addition, Raphael Guerreiro is under contract for next season, but has slowed down, while Frans Kratzig is reportedly headed to RB Salzburg on a transfer.
Itō could be a valuable presence, but it is unclear whether or not he will actually be able to play. During a summer where Bayern Munich might invest a quarter of a billion euros in Florian Wirtz, while also tacking on a center-back and a back-up striker (at a minimum), left-back was likely not a position the club planned on needing to bolster.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show Season 4, Episode 41
Bayern Munich is in the homestretch of the season, but the news surrounding the team continues to heat up. Let’s talk about everything going on with the squad on this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:
- The Frauen have clinched the domestic double.
- The Florian Wirtz news was all over the place this week. Let’s check in to see where things stand.
- Why Xabi Alonso’s potential move to Real Madrid might not be enough to sway Wirtz despite reports.
- Let’s discuss that wild story about Bayern Munich trying to convince Thomas Müller to join LAFC — and how a home in Beverly Hills might be part of the deal.
- Frans Kratzig, we hardly knew ye.
Song of the Week: “96 Quite Bitter Beings” by CKY
True story — before there was the MTV show Jackass, there was a video series starring Bam Margera, Brandon DiCamillo, and others from Jackass fame called CKY (aka Camp Kill Yourself). Those videos (which were all filmed within 15-20 minutes of where I sit) eventually led to the conglomerate of f*ckery that became known as Jackass.
Anyway, there was another end to CKY, which was a band, which featured Margera’s brother Jess. This was not some effort where one brother latched on to the relative fame of another, either. CKY had some really solid songs, achieved a decent amount of fame, and have had a nice career.
I know it has become a little passé to like the Jackass-style of comedy, but I have to admit I engaged in some of that type of debauchery growing up, so I’ll always have a soft spot for it. I should probably attribute this love of physical comedy back to my grandfather and dad watching The Three Stooges.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the song:
If you were someone who enjoyed Jackass back in the day, you might want to do a deep dive for those old CKY videos.
Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show: RB Leipzig vs. Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich will travel to East Germany to face off with a very desperate RB Leipzig, who is clawing to its hopes for European football next season.
Meanwhile, the Bavarians are seeking to clinch a league title in the house that energy drinks built (figuratively, of course).
Let’s take a look at what we have on tap for this edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show:
- A look at where each team is in the table and also a look back at the first match.
- A look at the injury and suspension situations for both teams.
- Why Bayern Munich fans should watch this game — get a closer look at Benjamin Šeško and Xavi Simons.
- A guess at Bayern Munich’s starting XI.
- A prediction on the match.
Entertainment Rundown
The Last of Us
Season 2, Episode 3
This will be brief. After an awesome episode two, The Last of Us fell back into…well, being boring. Given that, I had to start to think why I just have not gotten into this show in the way that I thought I would (aside of the fact that I just don’t think it is very good).
I was pretty psyched for the release of the show and liked the casting, but the story just is not clicking (much like many HBO/Max shows these days…the once magic touch is gone — and don’t come around here with any nonsense about The White Lotus, I have zero interest in that).
But maybe the problem is not the show…maybe it is me. With every episode, I just find myself making constant comparisons to the early days of The Walking Dead and as I watch the plot develop for The Last of Us, I just cannot beat the feeling of “been there, done that.”
In a weird way, I might be resentful of The Last of Us because of how I felt about the way The Walking Dead meandered, wasted time, and went off the rails before mercifully putting the audience out of its hate-watching misery.
Anyway, it was not a great episode.
Rating: 6.00/10.00
Müller talks through final days, thanks for support and positive energy
Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller will see his time with the club end soon, so he took to his newsletter to talk about how he has been feeling in recent weeks (via @iMiaSanMia):
“It’s been clear for a few weeks now that I won’t be playing for FC Bayern next season. The crazy thing is that it still feels like a normal season at FC Bayern to me. I’ve always enjoyed just playing football. I’ve always tried to soak up the atmosphere in the stadiums, whether at the Allianz Arena or away. So I haven’t quite realized yet that this is my last season as an FC Bayern player. Of course it’s already working on me somehow – but it’s more obvious with the fans.
The support and positive energy I’ve felt in the weeks since the announcement has been tremendous. A huge thank you from the bottom of my heart. It means a lot to me and feels very special.
Nevertheless, I’m still fully involved in the games with the team and focused on finally bringing the Bundesliga trophy back to Munich. I’m sure I’ll have plenty to say about the end of my playing time at FC Bayern and the beginning of something new. But now doesn’t seem like the time.
First of all, we’ll be champions on Saturday. Let’s do it.”
Predictions
Bundesliga
This is a tough one.
Without suspended star Harry Kane, Bayern Munich should be at a disadvantage, but RB Leipzig — while desperate — has been woefully inconsistent this season.
This will not be a blowout like the first match between the teams, but the Bavarians should be able to grind out a win.
Wouldn’t a Thomas Müller game-winner be fitting?
Prediction: RB Leipzig 2-3 Bayern Munich
Other Bundesliga predictions include:
- Heidenheim 2-1 VfL Bochum
- Borussia Mönchengladbach 2-2 Hoffenheim
- Union Berlin 1-1 Werder Bremen
- St. Pauli 0-3 VfB Stuttgart
- Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Wolfsburg
- FC Augsburg 0-1 Holstein Kiel
- SC Freiburg 0-2 Bayer Leverkusen
- Mainz 05 1-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
Prediction Records
- Last Week Bundesliga: 4-5 (Through Matchday 31)
- Overall Bundesliga: 127-152
- UEFA Nations League: 92-79
- Champions League: 99-85
- DFB-Pokal: 44-18
- Total: 354-334
- Perfect Picks: 52 (when the score and winner is predicted exactly)
