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Bundesliga | Gameweek 16

Dec 19, 2018 at 7.30pm UK

Bayern Bayern Munich
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RB Leipzig

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Niko Kovac downplays talk of Timo Werner link as Bayern Munich take on Leipzig

| 18 December 2018

Niko Kovac downplays talk of Timo Werner link as Bayern Munich take on Leipzig

Werner has 10 Bundesliga goals already this term, leaving Bayern wary of the Germany striker ahead of hosting Leipzig on Wednesday.

Niko Kovac has refused to be drawn on whether Bayern Munich will make a winter-break swoop for RB Leipzig's Timo Werner.

Werner has scored 10 Bundesliga goals already this term, leaving Bayern wary of the Germany striker ahead of hosting Leipzig on Wednesday.

Bayern boss Kovac has downplayed talk of a quick move to sign the in-form 22-year-old however, despite praising his qualities.

"Timo Werner is a great player with great skills," Kovac told Kicker.de. "What happens in the winter or next summer, we'll leave that alone."

Werner struck twice – all his league goals have come in braces this term – as Leipzig saw off Mainz 4-1 on Sunday.

And now boss Ralf Rangnick wants Leipzig to carry that attacking spirit forward into Wednesday's Munich trip, where a victory for either side will assure third place in the league table.

Bayern head into the clash off the back of three-straight league victories, but also a 3-3 Champions League draw at Ajax.

"At home we showed that we can beat Bayern; we have not won in Munich yet but I trust my team that we can provide a surprise with our style of play," Rangnick told Leipzig's official website.

"Other teams have shown that you can beat Bayern this season.

"If you only defend, it will be difficult. We have to play with courage and force them to make mistakes.

"It will be an interesting game where we have to find solutions and approaches to properly challenge Bayern.

"If we reach 31 points by the winter break, I will be very satisfied. If we can do more, that's fantastic.

"That would be a good starting point for the second half of the season."

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