IP addresses are NOT logged in this forum so there's no point asking. Please note that this forum is full of homophobes, racists, lunatics, schizophrenics & absolute nut jobs with a smattering of geniuses, Chinese chauvinists, Moderate Muslims and last but not least a couple of "know-it-alls" constantly sprouting their dubious wisdom. If you believe that content generated by unsavory characters might cause you offense PLEASE LEAVE NOW! Sammyboy Admin and Staff are not responsible for your hurt feelings should you choose to read any of the content here. The OTHER forum is HERE so please stop asking.
The creative midfielder is one step closer to making his comeback for the Bavarians nearly six months after his last official game
Bayern Munich have received some encouraging news on the injury front as Thiago Alcantara has returned to the training pitch alongside his team-mates after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The Spain international last featured for Bayern in the 3-3 Bundesliga draw with Hoffenheim back in March, having been battling a medial ligament problem ever since.
He initially appeared to be fit in time for the 2014 World Cup, but endured a recovery setback shortly before the tournament and did not make the Spain squad.
Thiago has now taken the next step in his recovery process, though, as he briefly joined team training ahead of Wednesday's Champions League clash with Manchester City, before continuing with an individual session.
The 23-year-old will not make the match squad for the match against City or for this weekend's game versus Hamburg, but Bayern are hopeful that he will be back in action soon.
The former Barcelona man made 25 appearances in all competitions for the Bavarians last term, scoring three goals in the process.
The Bayern Munich boss says he expects a tough game against Die Rothosen, after a turbulent week for the club in which they replaced their coach
Pep Guardiola says he expects a difficult challenge when Bayern Munich face Hamburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday.
Die Roten visit the Imtech Arena on Saturday to face a side that has endured a week of turmoil after coach Mirko Slomka was sacked on Tuesday.
Slomka was immediately replaced by Hamburg's Under-23 coach Josef Zinnbauer, who is tasked with reviving a team that has taken just one point from their first three league games.
And Guardiola, whose players snatched a dramatic late 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Manchester City on Wednesday, is wary of a backlash from their hosts.
"Hamburg is always one of the most important clubs in Germany and has a very aggressive team," he said.
"I expect a tough game. I remember when his [Zinnbauer] predecessor Slomka came to Hamburg, they had the first game against [Borussia] Dortmund and won 3-0."
With Bayern having been in action just three days earlier, Guardiola remains unsure how many of his first-choice players will face Hamburg, although the injured Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery, Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez and Holger Badstuber will not travel with the team.
Guardiola added: "I'll speak with my players, especially those who played on Wednesday. Afterwards, we decide."
However, one player that is unlikely to feature is defender Mehdi Benatia, for whom the match with City represented his first since July.
There is better news surrounding winger Arjen Robben, though, with Guardiola hopeful that the Dutchman will be ready despite struggling with knee problems prior to Wednesday's clash.
"For Benatia it is probably too much to play a game every three days," Guardiola said. "Before the match against City he had not played in over two and a half months.
"Arjen trained well yesterday [Thursday]. I hope he is ready for the next games."
Borussia Dortmund must not expect too much too soon from striker Ciro Immobile, head coach Jurgen Klopp has urged.
The Italy international arrived at Signal Iduna Park in June as a direct replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who joined rivals Bayern Munich on a free transfer.
Filling Lewandowski's boots was always going to be a tough ask given the Pole scored over 100 goals during his four years at the club.
But the first signs of promise were there as the 24-year-old scored in Tuesday's 2-0 UEFA Champions League triumph over Arsenal - his first goal for the club in his fourth appearance.
And Klopp is certain that more will follow in time.
"We need to have patience with Immobile, he's improving," he said. "We can't expect him to score every game after running for 60 metres."
Meanwhile, Dortmund have received a boost ahead of their trip to Mainz on Saturday with the return to training of Ilkay Gundogan and Mats Hummels.
Neither player has featured for Klopp this season but they will not be rushed back to avoid any recurrence of the injuries
"Ilkay Gundogan looks great," he added. "He trained well but still needs some time. He is on a great path.
"Mats Hummels has not played since the World Cup final and [had] very little training.
"He is now only entered back into the team training."
Bundesliga Preview: Bayern provide Zinnbauer´s first test while Japanese pair collide
17 September 2014
Josef Zinnbauer faces a baptism of fire as Hamburg coach against Bayern Munich as the Bundesliga's top five all prepare to play away.
Zinnbauer was promoted from his role as Hamburg's Under-23 coach on Tuesday, after Mirko Slomka became their fifth managerial casualty in just over three years.
The little-known 44-year-old has been charged with the sizeable task of preserving the club's unique record of having appeared in every Bundesliga campaign.
Hamburg have picked up just one point from a possible nine – and failed to score – so far this season, and Zinnbauer knows that things are unlikely to get any easier against the champions.
"No team dominates football matches like Bayern," said the new coach ahead of Saturday's encounter. "It's important we play as a unit.
"The problems have been the players' mentality. Results depend on the quality of the team, not the quality of individuals.
"I can promise that my players will be fired up. We will play with pure emotion."
Zinnbauer will aim to get the best out of captain Rafael van der Vaart and fellow playmaker Lewis Holtby, while Bayern coach Pep Guardiola could hand a start to Arjen Robben after he returned from injury as a substitute in their 1-0 UEFA Champions League win over Manchester City on Wednesday.
Fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund will look to build on an impressive 2-0 win over Arsenal in Europe in midweek at Mainz on Saturday, where Japan team-mates and close friends Shinji Okazaki and Shinji Kagawa will be under the spotlight .
The former is the Bundesliga's joint top scorer with three, while the latter made a superb start to his second spell at Signal Iduna Park against Freiburg last weekend.
Sunday's matches feature early leaders Bayer Leverkusen - seeking to respond to a narrow Champions League loss at Monaco when they take on Wolfsburg - and fifth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach, who clash with rivals Cologne.
Monchengladbach will look to in-form Andre Hahn to inspire them to victory over Cologne, who have kept clean sheets in four successive matches in all competitions.
Schalke and Stuttgart, on one point apiece, target their first victories of the season at home to Eintracht Frankfurt and Hoffenheim respectively.
And another two teams on one point, Hertha and Freiburg, kick off the fixture round in Friday's game, while Augsburg and Werder Bremen meet in Bavaria 24 hours later and Paderborn host Hannover.
Bundesliga Review: Zinnbauer stops Bayern as Paderborn go top
20 September 2014
New Hamburg coach Josef Zinnbauer stymied Bayern Munich in a 0-0 draw as a record 90-yard goal helped Paderborn hit the Bundesliga summit.
After losing their opening three matches of the season, Hamburg promoted Zinnbauer from his role as their Under-23 coach to replace Mirko Slomka.
Hamburg had lost 3-0 to Paderborn in their opening home game of the campaign, but they produced a steely defensive performance to deny Bayern.
Pep Guardiola sent on Xabi Alonso, Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski in the second half and, though his side monopolised possession, infallible performances from Heiko Westermann and Johan Djourou ensured Bayern failed to score for the first time in 75 Bundesliga games.
Paderborn, considered relegation favourites in their maiden season in the German top flight, capitalised on Bayern’s slip-up to go top on goal difference – at least until Sunday.
Elias Kachunga’s tap-in – his third goal of the season – gave Andre Breitenreiter’s men a deserved 70th-minute lead, before Moritz Stoppelkamp sealed a 2-0 victory with a last-gasp goal that will decorate highlight reels for years.
When the ball bounced in front of him on the edge of his own box, the 27-year-old midfielder combined ferocious power and accuracy to volley it into the back of an unguarded net at the other end of the field.
The shot’s distance – 90 yards – is a Bundesliga record.
Mainz and Hoffenheim also moved level on points with at the top by upsetting Borussia Dortmund and winning at Stuttgart respectively, while Augsburg beat Werder Bremen 4-2 and Schalke recovered a two-goal deficit to draw at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Another upset occurred at the Coface Arena. Jurgen Klopp excelled for Mainz as a player and a coach, and he watched his Dortmund side dominate the opening hour.
Three big misses from Adrian Ramos would, nevertheless, return to haunt Dortmund. Substitute Jairo created the opener for Shinji Okazaki, whose fourth goal in four appearances sent him outright first on the Bundesliga’s scoring chart.
Jairo, the 21-year-old Spanish winger, then had a hand in Matthias Ginter putting through his own net to hand Mainz a 2-0 success.
It ended Dortmund’s run of six successive victories away to Mainz.
Stuttgart had the better of the play at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, but Anthony Modeste’s thumping first-half header and Tarik Elyounnoussi’s late strike earned Hoffenheim a 2-0 win.
It left Armin Veh’s team bottom, on just one point from four games.
Tobias Werner starred as Augsburg beat Werder Bremen 4-2 in an entertaining spectacle, while Maxim Choupo-Moting and Julian Draxler got the goals as Schalke snatched a 2-2 draw at home to Frankfurt.
The result moved Schalke on to two points from four Bundesliga matches, but left them without a win from their first six games in all competitions for the first time in 47 years.
Jurgen Klopp has lamented Borussia Dortmund’s dire defending and profligacy in front of goal following Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Mainz.
Adrian Ramos has missed three glaring chances before Dortmund allowed Jairo to get a cross in and left Shinji Okazaki unmarked to break the deadlock at the Coface Arena.
Then, after Ciro Immobile had missed the chance to equalise from the penalty spot, more disorganised defending then leg to Matthias Ginter putting through his own net to put the game out of Dortmund's reach.
"We could have been worthy winners if we had taken our chances," said Klopp. "Instead, we defended poorly twice and were deserved losers.
"We had a lot of good moments in the game. We started very well but then took our feet off the gas.
"But if you concede two goals in the second half, you deserve to lose. We should have been much more active for their first goal. We defended badly today.
"Adrian [Ramos] also could have taken one of his chances. Today he didn't manage to. In a game like this you need those things to go for you.
"And Ciro didn't make a clean connection on his penalty. It happens in football."
Erik Durm, who began his career at Mainz as a striker before Jurgen Klopp converted him into a full-back, also rued Dortmund's wasteful finishing.
"We played well for the first 20, 30 minutes. We got forward and created good opportunities.
"However, we must be more clinical in front of goal."
Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola has hinted European exploits may have taken their toll on his side after Saturday's 0-0 draw with Hamburg.
A frustrating afternoon saw a much-changed Bayern side struggle to find any meaningful attacking fluidity against Hamburg, who will have delighted new boss Josef Zinnbauer with an impressive rearguard display.
However, Guardiola was left to bemoan an impotent performance from his side, with the former Barcelona boss particularly disappointed by a slow start exhibited by his team, who were rocked by an injury to star winger Arjen Robben during the pre-match warm-up.
Yet Guardiola suggested that it was the nature of the fixture list that conspired most against his team at the Imtech Arena, with Bayern coming into the game on the back off a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester City in midweek.
He told the club's official website: "It was not easy to come into this game on the back of a Champions League match against Manchester City. In the second half it was a bit better, but unfortunately we did not take our chances."
However, the Spaniard insisted his side were capable of rising to the challenge of firing on all fronts and hitting top form once again.
"We now have to keep working until December. It is a tough time ahead," he added.
One of Bayern's best chances of the game fell to Philipp Lahm midway through the second half, and he echoed the frustration expressed by his boss after the game.
He told reporters: "We can't really be happy when we only get a draw. In the second period, we definitely had the chances to win the game.
"In the first half, though, we weren't quite at our best. We'll focus on Tuesday now."
That game on Tuesday will see the champions travel to newly promoted Paderborn, who are the surprise leaders in the Bundesliga, thanks to a 2-0 win over Hannover on Saturday.
Bundesliga Review: Leverkusen slip up, Cologne held in derby
21 September 2014
Ten-man Bayer Leverkusen failed to capitalise on Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund dropping Bundesliga points when they visited Wolfsburg.
Leverkusen had the chance to return to the top of the league on Sunday with a win after Bayern were held to a goalless draw by Hamburg and Jurgen Klopp's Dortmund were defeated by his former club Mainz on Saturday.
But Giulio Donati's sending off after just seven minutes forced Roger Schmidt's side to play at a man disadvantage for much of the match.
That clumsy challenge also afforded Ricardo Rodriguez the opportunity to put the hosts in front from the spot, which he duly accepted, adding to the goal he scored in Thursday's 4-1 UEFA Europa League loss to Everton, when he also netted at the wrong end.
Josip Drmic pulled Leverkusen level in the 29th minute to cap a fine breakaway move. But Vieirinha's headed goal, following strong work down the left-hand side from Sebastian Jung, re-established the lead in the final moments of the first half.
Schmidt shuffled his pack with a double substitution at half-time but eventually the extra man told as Rodriguez was left alone on the edge of the box at a 63rd-minute corner and took full advantage, crashing in a terrific left-foot volley.
Substitute Aaron Hunt then profited from more lazy Leverkusen defending late on to add a fourth and ensure the slips of last season's top two escaped greater penalty.
The Bundesliga's other game on Sunday saw Rhineland rivals Borussia Monchengladbach and Cologne clash for the first time since April 2012.
Cologne's relegation meant these fierce rivals, and their fans, had been denied what is considered one of German football's biggest derbies for more than two years.
But the action on the pitch failed to match the excitement among the fans as the teams played out a 0-0 draw to remain next to each other in mid-table, each with six points from four matches.
Bundesliga Preview: Shock leaders face Bayern test, Stuttgart visit Dortmund
22 September 2014
Shock Bundesliga leaders Paderborn will face the toughest examination of their top-flight credentials when they visit Bayern Munich.
Paderborn have defied all expectations so far in their maiden Bundesliga season, claiming two wins and two draws from their four fixtures to top the early standings on goal difference.
However, they face the most daunting task in German football on Tuesday - a trip to the Allianz Arena to face champions Bayern.
Pep Guardiola's side also have eight points from their first four games, but have not yet clicked into top gear and failed to score for the first time in 75 Bundesliga outings in a 0-0 stalemate at Hamburg on Saturday.
Paderborn coach Andre Breitenreiter is eager for his side to test themselves against the best, but suggested Bayern's below-par start to the campaign makes them no less dangerous.
"We want to give the best account of ourselves possible in Munich," he said.
"We have a tactical plan against Bayern, but Bayern Munich are Bayern Munich - they're in a class of their own."
Also on eight points after an unbeaten start to the season are Mainz, who defeated an inconsistent Borussia Dortmund 2-0 on Saturday, and Hoffenheim, who won by the same scoreline at struggling Eintracht Frankfurt.
Mainz will aim to repeat Hoffenheim's result at the Commerzbank-Arena on Tuesday, while Markus Gisdol's Hoffenheim host winless Freiburg.
Stuttgart have taken just one point from their four matches this term and travel to Dortmund - who will be without Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who suffered a foot injury at the Coface Arena - on Wednesday, with coach Armin Veh hoping for more ruthlessness from his side.
"We're doing a lot of things right in games, but we're not putting our chances away," he lamented. "We're working hard on it and hopefully we'll get it right [against Dortmund]."
Bayer Leverkusen and Hannover, both one point off the pace after weekend defeats, are at home to Augsburg and Cologne respectively.
Josef Zinnbauer’s first game in charge of Hamburg ended positively with a point, and he will look to build on that draw with the champions at Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Schalke visit Werder Bremen with both sides searching for a first win of the campaign, and Hertha Berlin host Wolfsburg.
The coach praised shock leaders Paderborn but is refusing to read too much into the table, while taking a swipe at the fixture congestion so early in the Bavarians' season
Pep Guardiola has played down the importance of the Bundesliga standings at this stage of the season ahead of Bayern Munich's clash with surprise table-toppers Paderborn on Tuesday.
Two wins and two draws have seen the newly-promoted club surge to the top of the German league, while Guardiola's reigning champions are down in fourth despite accumulating the same number of points.
"The table isn't important yet," the former Barcelona coach told reporters on Monday. "We have to focus on our own results and performances, not others.
"Paderborn are very impressive, though, and we know why they're top of the table. They'll press us aggressively. They have nothing to lose."
Guardiola did have a bone to pick with the schedule of modern day football, however, slamming the fixture congestion that is set to see Bayern play their third game in eight days.
"We're killing the players," he added. "We're asking too much of them. The players need time to rest.
"This is true not only for Bayern, but for Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen. It is impossible to play every three days and keep the same players."
Guardiola also added that his Bayern team could attend famous Munich beer festival Oktoberfest - on the condition they defeat Paderborn this week.
Franck Ribery will definitely miss the game at the Allianz Arena, while Arjen Robben was confirmed as a doubt to feature.
BVB coach Jurgen Klopp says the defender is ready to make his first competitive appearance since starring for Germany at this summer's World Cup
Borussia Dortmund trainer Jurgen Klopp says Mats Hummels is ready to return to make his return from an ankle injury.
The defender has been out of action since starring for Germany in their 1-0 World Cup final win over Argentina and has yet to make an appearance for his club side this season.
However, Klopp says the 25-year-old will be available to play in Wednesday's Bundesliga clash with Stuttgart.
“It is looking good for Mats," the former Mainz boss told Bild. "However, I cannot comment on whether he will be involved for the entire 90 minutes.”
However, there was not such good news concerning midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who has suffered a setback in his recovery from the back problem that has plagued him for over a year.
“Currently, he has muscular problems," said Klopp. "He will train until all parties feel that the time is right. We can’t afford to make any rash decisions on this one.”
The 47-year-old will hope to have as many of his stars back in action as soon as possible, with his side having picked up only six points from a possible 12 so far this season.
Bundesliga Review: Bayern go top, Schalke hit form
23 September 2014
Bayern Munich burst the early-season bubble of Paderborn and powered to the top of the Bundesliga table with a 4-0 victory at Allianz Arena.
The visitors, who are competing at this level for the first time, went into Tuesday's game as surprise pacesetters following an unbeaten start to the campaign, but were brought back down to earth with a bang.
Mario Gotze enjoyed a double strike for the champions, while the under-fire Robert Lewandowski netted for the second time this term and Thomas Muller completed the scoring in the latter stages.
Bayern had also trailed Mainz and Hoffenheim on goal difference prior to the Paderborn clash, but are now clear at the summit after that pair both dropped points.
Mainz looked in control of their game at Frankfurt after first-half strikes by Jonas Hofmann and Shinji Okazaki, but Alexander Meier pulled one back just before the break and Haris Seferovic equalised late on for the hosts to make it 2-2.
Hoffenheim also had to settle for a share of the spoils following a six-goal thriller against Freiburg at Rhein-Neckar Arena.
Mike Frantz bagged a brace after 31 and 33 minutes to stun the home fans, but Tarik Elyounoussi replied on the stroke of half-time and then Sebastian Rudy levelled things up just after the hour mark.
Vladimir Darida edged Freiburg back in front from the penalty spot, but then went from hero to villain when shown a red card with 10 minutes left to play and Hoffenheim finally made the man advantage count when Jannik Vestergaard made it 3-3 in stoppage time.
Schalke had picked up only two points from their first four fixtures before visiting Werder Bremen, but Jens Keller's side hit form in emphatic fashion with a 3-0 success at the Weserstadion.
Max Meyer put the away team in front just after half-time, Roman Neustadter added a second three minutes later and Tranquillo Barnetta wrapped things up late on.
Jurgen Klopp has dismissed speculation that long-term absentee Ilkay Gundogan will return to action for Borussia Dortmund against Stuttgart.
The 23-year-old last appeared in a 3-3 friendly draw for Germany against Paraguay in August 2013.
Since then, midfielder Gundogan has been out with a back injury, and on Tuesday Klopp moved to deny reports that he was set for a return in Wednesday's Bundesliga clash at Signal-Iduna Park.
"The day Ilkay Gundogan will return to action will be a great day for everyone," he said.
"But 14 months on the sidelines are 14 months. We will stay calm, in spite of our injury problems."
Klopp is expected to have Mats Hummels, Neven Subotic and Ji Dong-won available, although Henrikh Mkhitaryan is absent after picking up a foot injury in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Mainz.
Bayern reaping rewards for Robben patience - Rummenigge
Dominic Raynor
Sep 25, 2014 17:00:15
The club's CEO says the Dutchman has been key to their success over the last two seasons after a difficult start to life at the club
Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge believes the Bundesliga champions are reaping the rewards of being patient with Arjen Robben.
The Dutch winger returned to Bayern's starting line-up to set up a goal in the 4-0 win over Paderborn on Tuesday night, but it his long-term impact that has really impressed Rummenigge.
"Arjen Robben is a significant reason that we have won eight titles in the last two years," Rummenigge said. "He is a super player that no team can stop 100 per cent."
However, the Bayern chief says it could have been so different had the club not backed the 30-year-old following his arrival from Real Madrid in 2009.
"From the first minute, Xabi Alonso has proven his leadership skills. But sometimes you have to have patience. Arjen Robben is a wonderful example of this."
The former Chelsea winger endured two injury hit season's in Munich and missed a penalty in extra-time during the 2012 Champions League final defeat to Chelsea.
"I can remember what happened to him in 2012," Rummenigge said. "This can make you or break you."
Robben responded a year later by providing the assist for Mario Mandzukic's opening goal before scoring himself in the 2-1 win against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
Bayern also went on to win the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup.
Following Robben's return from a knee problem to face Paderborn on Tuesday, Rummenigge said: "I hope that he is spared from injury. We need him to achieve our goals."
The Netherlands international has scored 90 goals and provided 63 assists in 170 games for Bayern.
Stuttgart have seemingly blamed their shambling Bundesliga season on Fredi Bobic, who has been sacked from his role of sporting director.
Bobic has held the position since July 2010, but just one of his four seasons in charge resulted in a top-half finish - 2011-12's placing of sixth.
Last season saw Stuttgart flirt with relegation for the entire campaign, and they have started 2014-15 in a similar malaise, taking a solitary point from their opening four games - leaving them bottom.
Five different coaches have been employed by Stuttgart in Bobic's time, which has also been clouded by perceived failings in the transfer market.
Sami Khedira was sold to Real Madrid early in Bobic's reign, while the likes of Bernd Leno and Shinji Okazaki have been cast aside before going on to thrive at Bundesliga rivals Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz respectively.
News of Bobic's departure broke less than an hour before Stuttgart's fixture at Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday.
Stuttgart chairman Dr Joachim Schmidt commented: "The continued negative sporting results, as well as the fact that we see no more prospects in the current personnel have led us to initiate a sustainable development plan.
"We thank Fredi Bobic for his work and commitment. He was the face of our association through a difficult phase and had to deal with some diversity.
"The bottom line is, after four years he has not been able to put together a team able to reach a position in the table corresponding to our budget."
Bundesliga Preview: Duo set for Revierderby, Bayern visit Cologne
25 September 2014
The Revierderby between Schalke and Borussia Dortmund headlines the weekend's action in the Bundesliga.
Dortmund make the trip to the Veltins Arena facing a four-point gap to leaders Bayern Munich, having suffered a loss to Mainz in their last game on the road and a draw in the subsequent home match against Stuttgart.
Jurgen Klopp's squad has been beset by injuries and Dortmund are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league this season, something that defender Mats Hummels is eager to address.
"We need more stability in defence," said Hummels, who is set to return from a spell on the sidelines against Schalke. "We have already conceded nine goals in five matches which is a very poor record.
"We need to defend better as a team and all 11 players have to play their part. If you concede two goals in each game, as has already happened four times this season, it's very hard to win."
Schalke won 3-0 at Werder Bremen on Tuesday to move out of the relegation zone and will be determined to make it three without a win for their rivals, against whom they have won two and drawn one of their last four clashes.
"It's the biggest derby in Germany," said Schalke coach Jens Keller, who will be without suspended playmaker Julian Draxler. "My players need no motivation."
Champions Bayern Munich head to Cologne still boasting an unbeaten record, but meet a side who have conceded just once in five games - though their two goals scored highlights a pressing problem.
With Mario Gotze, Thomas Muller and Robert Lewandowski starring, Bayern returned to form with a 4-0 thumping of Paderborn on Tuesday, which sent them one point clear of Bayer Leverkusen and Hannover at the summit.
Cologne, on the other hand, have failed to win – or score in – three straight matches, and Bayern's last visit to the RheinEnergieStadion resulted in Muller-inspired 4-1 win.
Elsewhere, Leverkusen and Hannover are away to lowly Freiburg and Stuttgart respectively.
Hoffenheim visit Mainz in a scrap between fourth and fifth in Friday's match - a win for either would take them top - while the following day sixth-placed Borussia Monchengladbach travel to a Paderborn side one spot beneath them and Wolfsburg entertain Werder Bremen in a battle of teams in the bottom half.
Sunday's two games pit Augsburg against Hertha Berlin and rock-bottom Hamburg, who have failed to score in the top flight this season, at home to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bayern Munich sporting director Matthias Sammer has warned that they will need a top performance to beat Cologne on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola's men moved to the top of the Bundesliga on Tuesday with a dominant 4-0 win over newly promoted Paderborn.
The defending champions now face another newcomer in the form of Cologne in a game that Bayern will understandably be heavily favoured to win.
However, ahead of the visit to the RhienEnergieStadion, Sammer feels Bayern, who are likely to be without defender Jerome Boateng due to muscular problems, will need to take their game to another level to come away with all three points.
"A tough task lies ahead of us," Sammer said. "Cologne are very solid at the back and are a tight-knit team.
"A normal performance in Cologne will not suffice, we need a top performance.
"It feels good to be in first place, we're in top spot and don't want to move from there."
Bundesliga Review: Bayern march on as Dortmund struggle
27 September 2014
Defending champions Bayern Munich maintained their unbeaten start to the Bundesliga season with a 2-0 win at Cologne.
It proved to be a torrid afternoon for Cologne midfielder Daniel Halfar, whose mistake let in Thomas Muller to tee up Mario Gotze for the opener after 19 minutes.
Things went from bad to worse for Halfar after half-time as he scored an own goal in the 66th minute under pressure from David Alaba.
In contrast to Bayern, Borussia Dortmund's indifferent start to the campaign continued with a 2-1 loss at Schalke that leaves them 10th in the standings.
Joel Matip powered home from a 10th-minute corner before Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting capitalised on some sloppy 23rd-minute defending to send Schalke well on their way to Revierderby bragging rights.
In-form forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang reduced the deficit and Schalke goalkeeper Ralf Fahrmann then displayed inspired form to condemn Dortmund to their third defeat in six league games.
Borussia Monchengladbach moved into second place, two points behind Bayern, as they continued their own unbeaten start to the campaign with a 2-1 win at SC Paderborn.
Patrick Herrmann capped a lightning counter-attack for Monchengladbach to open the scoring and Raffael had them two goals to the good after just 14 minutes.
To their credit, Paderborn - who were beaten 4-0 by Bayern in midweek - refused to fold and Jens Wemmer's 70th-minute strike set up a grandstand finish, but the visitors held on.
Bayer Leverkusen drop down to third after they failed to score for the first time this season in a goalless draw at Freiburg.
Leverkusen defender Emir Spahic was sent off for a second bookable offence shortly before the half-hour, while the hosts had Pavel Krmas red-carded in the 78th minute.
Freiburg slip into the bottom three after Stuttgart followed a spirited midweek draw against Dortmund with a first win of the league season, a 1-0 victory at home to Hannover.
Daniel Schwaab netted his first goal in 134 Bundesliga outings in the 69th minute to send the Mercedes-Benz Arena into raptures.
Elsewhere, Wolfsburg got back to winning ways with a 2-1 victory at home to second bottom Werder Bremen.
Bundesliga Review: Late Piazon strike stuns Hamburg, Augsburg edge out Hertha
28 September 2014
Hamburg suffered a heartbreaking late 2-1 defeat at home to Eintracht Frankfurt as their winless start to the Bundesliga season continued.
Josef Zinnbauer's Hamburg side, who are bottom, finally ended their wait for a Bundesliga goal this season, setting a new record of 508 minutes before breaking their barren run when Lewis Holtby squeezed a clever pass into the danger area and Nicolai Muller found the net to cancel out Haris Seferovic's opener.
Seferovic, a close-season arrival from Real Sociedad, produced a fine looping header from a deep lofted pass to beat Jaroslav Drobny.
Frankfurt, though, claimed all three points right at the death as Lucas Piazon sent an unstoppable free-kick into the top-right corner, his first competitive goal since arriving on loan from Chelsea.
Sunday's early match saw Augsburg clinch a third win from four games as a first-half penalty was enough to beat visitors Hertha Berlin 1-0.
Former Augsburg coach Jos Luhukay took his Hertha side to the SGL Arena hoping to build upon Wednesday's 1-0 win over Wolfsburg.
But the capital club produced a tepid display in what was an ill-tempered encounter, with Hertha's best chance coming from a Ronny free-kick in the first period.
The breakthrough came in the 27th minute as Raul Bobadilla went tumbling to the floor under minimal contact from goalkeeper Thomas Kraft and club captain Paul Verhaegh slotted away the resulting penalty.
Augsburg were dealt a second-half blow when Verhaegh was forced off with suspected concussion, but held on to secure victory.
Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola says his side are still suffering from a World Cup hangover, despite making a strong start to the season.
The defending German champions are unbeaten in the Bundesliga, having won four and drawn two of their matches so far.
Guardiola's men top the table and are already seven points ahead of regular title rivals Borussia Dortmund, but the Spaniard claims claims the campaign has been a struggle to this point.
"For me, every day is difficult," he said. "We have a lot of injured players after the World Cup, but every game we play a little bit better.
"It's just a matter of time until Borussia Dortmund gets up in the table - that's really clear, 100 per cent. They are a high-quality team.
"But there are also teams like Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen with Roger [Schmidt]. There is no doubt that these teams are real opponents for us in the Bundesliga.
"We have to focus on our game and talk about it after each match: did we play better than our opponent? OK. Did we play better than the last game? OK.
"That's our goal. It's only the sixth game week - anything could happen."
Bayern visit CSKA Moscow in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
