Bayern Munich Aims for Redemption as Bundesliga Title Race Nears Conclusion

Saturday's home match against their relegation-threatened opponents may seem like a straightforward task for Bayern, who have secured victory in nine of their last 10 games. However, Bochum has shown surprising strength in their recent performances, making them a formidable challenge for the Bavarian giants.

Since veteran Dieter Hecking was given the job of salvaging first-division football for the then last-placed team in November, Bochum have kick-started an unlikely redemption story of their own.

Bochum have since beaten Borussia Dortmund and drawn with Leverkusen and RB Leipzig, and now sit in the relegation playoff spot on 17 points -- 16 of which have been picked up under Hecking.

Speaking Thursday, the grizzled veteran Hecking said his side needed to chart a course in between brash arrogance and humble acceptance against the German giants.

"I'm not going to act like a smart ass and say 'We'll win'," Hecking told reporters.

"We know where we stand in the pecking order. I'm only concerned about our own performance.

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"I'm a realist. But we must not be too humble or make ourselves small. We must play actively and not just roll over."

Leverkusen host struggling Werder Bremen on Saturday as they try and keep their slim hopes alive of chasing down Bayern.

Still licking their wounds from Wednesday's thrashing in Munich, Leverkusen face a Bremen side who have lost five games in a row to slide out of European contention.

Player to watch: Georgios Masouras

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A quick-fire brace from new Greek loanee Masouras delivered Hecking and Bochum their vital three points against Borussia Dortmund in mid-February.

Masouras, a Greece international, arrived at the end of the January transfer window from Olympiakos and has tasted defeat only once in his four outings so far for Bochum -- coming last weekend at Hoffenheim.

If the 31-year-old attacker can boost his goal tally over the course of the run-in, Bochum could fancy their chances of registering some more shock results before the end of the season and reeling in St Pauli, who lie four points ahead of them in safety.

Key stats

30 - Harry Kane has scored 30 penalties in succession for club and country dating back to the 2022 World Cup.

0 from 9 - No home team won last matchday, with eight away team victories and a draw -- a Bundesliga first

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3 - Augsburg have conceded just three league goals in 2025 -- the lowest mark of any team in Europe

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)