Weekend Warm-up: Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich is a prime transfer target for FC Barcelona; Bayern eyeing Benfica’s Roger Schmidt; Throwing it back to Nena; Bundesliga and Champions League predictions; and MORE!

According to a report from Sport Bild journalists Christian Falk and Tobi Altschäffl (as captured by @iMiaSanMia), FC Barcelona will be a serious contender for Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich this summer:

Barcelona want Joshua Kimmich this summer, especially after Xavi’s decision to stay at the club. The Spaniard is a big fan of Kimmich. In Barcelona, there’s optimism they would be financially able to make a move. If the player wants to leave, then he would be a serious option for Barça.

More than ever, it feels like these rumors surrounding Kimmich might have some credence. While he has been excellent of late, Kimmich was not as his best earlier this season, become a point of ire for head coach Thomas Tuchel, and even had to address some things publicly after the manager used the media as a sounding board.

For Kimmich, all of that, plus the uncertainty of who the next manager will be might not be all that appealing. There is, however, the possibility that Kimmich could just be using all of this as leverage to get himself one last giant deal.

What do you think?

---

Bavarian Podcast Works: Weekend Warm-up Show Season 3, Episode 43

Yeah, so there is a little bit to talk about with Bayern Munich this week.

I don’t even know we would waste any time with an intro when there is a three-ring circus going on with Bayern Munich’s coaching search, so let’s get right down to business. Here is what we have on tap on for the latest edition of the Bavarian Podcast Works — Weekend Warm-up Show:

• Ralf Rangnick has formally rejected a move to Bayern Munich in favor of keeping his life simple. You can’t fault him for that, but now what?
• After the rejections from Rangnick, Xabi Alonso, and Julian Nagelsmann have all said “No” to Bayern Munich, is Hansi Flick the “break glass in case of emergency option.”
• Sebastian Hoeneß has already stiff-armed speculation that he would be a fit, but could it happen?
• Jonathan Tah to Bayern…eh, I don’t know about this one.
• What to watch for in the next round of Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid in the Champions League.

---

Oh Schmidt! Another coaching option emerges!

Falk and Altschäffl were not just reporting on Kimmich’s future though. The German journo duo also had some news on Bayern Munich’s latest coaching target as well — Benfica’s Roger Schmidt. Here are the details as captured by @iMiaSanMia:

From ‘well informed agent circles’, it is said that Bayern now want to go full force on Benfica head coach Roger Schmidt. The former Leverkusen and Salzburg coach is under contract until 2026 and has a €30m release clause, but Benfica are not entirely happy with him, therefore it wouldn’t be complicated to get him. Schmidt has already been discussed at Bayern before but was never really one of the top candidates, but now he’s high on the list.

I mean…Schmidt is not making me tingle in anyway, so there is that. Bayern Munich is running out of options, though. At some point, the club has to land one of these guys.

Who would I take on? Well…let’s #FlickAroundAndFindOut.

---

Song of the Week: “99 Luftballons” by Nena

You might be thinking, why this song? Why now? Shouldn’t we be using some music to make you want to charge into battle?

Well, as you probably know, this song has become part of BFW lore given the missing video of Niko and Robert Kovač performing this number during the team’s karaoke session during the infamous #MiamiNights season. We have been seeking this footage for years now.

As such, if there was a BFW Hall of Fame, this song would be in. With such a massive match on the horizon, we need to summon all things great about BFW here and channel them in this one song…

More than ever, Bayern Munich needs the full power of BFW…so here you go! This is our “break glass in case of emergency moment.” It’s up to you Nena, you’re our only hope!

---

Bavarian Podcast Works — Preview Show: VfB Stuttgart vs. Bayern Munich

After the enthralling Champions League battle vs. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich must now rebound to face a very good VfB Stuttgart side in the Bundesliga.

The Bavarians will want to remain hot with their play and — ironically — it will be one of their own players, Alexander Nübel, trying to stand in the way of Bayern Munich’s efforts to maintain momentum.

Will Nübel pull a Josip Stanišić? Hopefully not. Here is what we have on tap for episode of the Bavarians Podcast Works — Preview Show:

• Where Bayern Munich stands after the draw with Real Madrid.
• A look at the recent league form of both clubs.
• Updates on injured Bayern Munich players.
• A guess at Thomas Tuchel’s potential starting XI.
• A prediction on the match.

---

Predictions

With all of the injuries and with Real Madrid looming ahead, how does Thomas Tuchel handle his boys for this match? Rest his key players? Keep a few guys sharp? Not risk anything at all?

It is impossible to tell, but it seems like we might see a mix with a full boat of substitution. Whatever Tuchel chooses, his squad will be looking to keep the winning feeling (despite the midweek draw) and momentum going.

Good vibes only and all of that…

• Prediction: VfB Stuttgart 2-3 Bayern Munich

Bonus Champions League Prediction

Last week just felt like a draw. This week, though, there is no good reason to think Bayern Munich can go into Spain and take down Real Madrid.

At least — there is no good reason for sane people to think that. Here — at BFW — we are in the land of oddities and I am the main moron…so YOLO.

Through all of the downs this season, Bayern Munich has had one constant — superior talent. Now, there appears to be a requisite amount of fire and focus attached to that talent…and with that comes possibility.

Sure, we know about this history…the mystique…the referees on the take…this is Real Madrid and their group is a chock full of talent, experience, and desire. This season, though, has been defined by the unexplainable, so why not?

Warning: NSFW — language

• Prediction: Real Madrid 1-2 Bayern Munich

Other Bundesliga predictions include:

• Hoffenheim 1-2 RB Leipzig
• Borussia Dortmund 2-0 FC Augsburg
• Werder Bremen 1-2 Borussia Mönchengladbach
• VfL Wolfsburg 1-0 SV Darmstadt 98
• FC Köln 1-2 SC Freiburg
• Eintracht Frankfurt 1-3 Bayer Leverkusen
• Heidenheim 2-2 Mainz 05
• Union Berlin 1-1 VfL Bochum

---

Prediction Records

• Bundesliga Last Week in action: 3-6
• Bundesliga Total: 139-131
• DFB-Pokal Total: 1-1
• Champions League Total: 8-3
• DFL-Supercup: 0-1
• Total: 148-136