Bayern Munich vs Hamburger preview - Zinnbauer looking to continue form

Posted Friday, February 13, 2015 by PA

Josef Zinnbauer is hoping his side can continue their good form by extending his own unbeaten record against Bayern Munich this weekend.

Zinnbauer's first game in charge of the northern Germany side was in the reverse fixture back in September.

A defiant 0-0 draw at the Volksparkstadion was only their second point of the season after a goalless draw on the opening day in Cologne.

Now, buoyed by their first back-to-back wins in almost two years, they head to the Allianz Arena where they have already triumphed twice in nine years looking to make three the magic number.

"They're not yet in their rhythm and not yet in Champions League mode so maybe they are beatable right now," Zinnbauer said at a press conference.

"We've just got to believe in it. If you want to get something against the best team in the world, then you've really got to rise above yourself.

"We've got to have a really good day."

There has been only one of those days for Bayern so far in 2015, although even their 2-0 win over Stuttgart saw them perform to their usual standards for only half of the match.

In defeat to Wolfsburg and a draw to Schalke, they showed limitations not seen in a Bayern team for many years, but full-back David Alaba feels they are getting it right again.

"I know we still have to find our rhythm, but it's not so easy when you come up against sides wo defend with 10 men behind the ball," said the Austrian on his club's website.

"We now want to take the next step. Fortunately Franck (Ribery) and Rafinha are back again.

"We need them - they are two important players."

The pair returned to training this week and are likely to feature at some stage, even if coach Pep Guardiola may prefer to feed them back into action slowly with one eye on the upcoming Champions League trip to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Bayern head to Ukraine on Tuesday and that trip could also prompt other changes in Guardiola's starting XI against a side the Bavarians beat 9-2 at home in 2013.