Paderborn vs Bayern Munich preview - Paderborn prepare to host Bayern
Posted Friday, February 20, 2015 by PA
The East Westphalian city of Paderborn is preparing itself for one of the biggest dates in its history as Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich pay a visit this weekend.
When the fixtures were announced at the start of this season, Paderborn's first ever in the top flight of German football, this was the game most of their fans were looking out for.
Six months into the season, that day is now about to come.
"This is a dream come true, to play against Bayern," said Paderborn midfielder Alban Meha.
"We know them more than anything from the TV. After they played in the Champions League (against Shakhtar Donetsk), they now come to Paderborn and it will probably feel to them like a DFB-Pokal game in front of 15,000 fans.
"It's going to be a totally different kind of game for them and, who knows, maybe we can get something."
Paderborn go into their big day buoyed by a win in Hannover last weekend which kept them two points clear of the relegation zone.
"If we carry on the way we are going and work hard in training, as we are doing now, then I'm sure we're going to stay in the Bundesliga," Meha added on www.bundesliga.de.
"Having said that, we're still going to need a bit of luck in some of our games."
Saturday is likely to be one of those occasions, but Bayern are not going to take anything for granted, despite winning the reverse fixture 4-0.
"This is going to be a completely different game to the Donetsk one," said Bayern coach Pep Guardiola at a press conference.
"This is their first year in the Bundesliga and they are dangerous opponents.
"They're very well organised and have some very good players. I've got a great deal of respect for them, but I know what people are thinking.
"It's going to come down to how well we run."
Guardiola may make changes to his side, although he is not going to underestimate his side's opponents.
"I'll be needing my strongest team against Paderborn," he said.
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