RB Leipzig chase a first away win at Bayern Munich in Saturday's top-of-the-table Bundesliga clash after being buoyed by their last-gasp winner in the Champions League.
Alexander Sorloth's last-minute goal sealed a 4-3 win at Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday and Leipzig can reach the last 16 by beating Manchester United at home next Tuesday.
Before that, second-placed Leipzig are chasing victory against Bayern at the imposing Allianz Arena, where the Bundesliga leaders have not lost for a year in any competition.
Bayern hold a two-point gap over Leipzig at the top of the table.
"It's going to be an awesome game," said midfielder Emil Forsberg, "we want to take something from there."
Since reaching the Bundesliga in 2016/17 after rising from Germany's fifth tier, Leipzig have beaten Bayern once in 10 games and never away. The last three league meetings all ended in draws.
"I can't remember the last time we drew three times in a row against a Bundesliga side – that's proof that it won't be easy for us," said Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.
"We're at home, we want to win to defend our lead at the top of the table, so we're taking it very seriously."
On their last four visits to the Allianz Arena, Leipzig lost 3-0, 2-0, 1-0 and then held Bayern to a goalless draw in February.
"If you follow the sequence logically, then it could be that we will win," said Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann with a grin.
Having already won 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund in last month's de klassiker, Bayern have a chance to see off another rival.
Captain Manuel Neuer and striker Robert Lewandowski were rested for Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Atletico Madrid with Bayern already through to the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners.
However, Nagelsmann is unhappy that there is barely a three-day gap between facing Bayern and Man Utd. "At some point it will catch up with us," he said.
Norwegian striker Sorloth was a relieved man after ending his goal drought by scoring Leipzig's crucial winner in Istanbul.
Sorloth admitted "it was pure emotion, that was a very important goal" both for him and his club.
_________________________________________________
Gallery: Istanbul Basaksehir 3 Leipzig 4
-
RB Leipzig's Norwegian forward Alexander Sorloth, centre, celebrates scoring the winner in their 4-3 Champions League victory at Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday, December 2. AFP -
Yussuf Poulsen of Leipzig. EPA -
Leipzig's Emil Forsberg after a chance goes begging in Turkey. Getty -
Leipzig's Alexander Sorloth is mobbed by teammates after his winning goal. AFP -
Leipzig's Alexander Sorloth scores the winner. AP -
Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann. Reuters -
RB Leipzig's French defender Nordi Mukiele, right, celebrates scoring his team's second goal. AFP -
Leizpzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi watches Istanbul Basaksehir's Irfan Kahveci's shot hit the net to complete his hat-trick and level the score at 3-3. Reuters -
Leipzig's Emil Forsberg battles for possession with Berkay Ozcan of Istanbul Basaksehir. Getty -
Yussuf Poulsen puts Leipzig 1-0 up. Getty
_________________________________________________
Having cost €20 million ($24 million) from Crystal Palace in September to replace Timo Werner, Sorloth had drawn a blank in his previous ten Leipzig games.
After netting 24 times in 34 games on loan at Turkish side Trabzonspor last season, Sorloth will be hoping to mark his 25th birthday this Saturday with a goal against German great Neuer.
Borussia Dortmund are already feeling the effects of a constant stream of fixtures ahead of Saturday's away match at Eintracht Frankfurt.
After last weekend's shock 2-1 home defeat loss to Cologne, Dortmund need to bounce back with a first win in Frankfurt for seven years.
Dortmund trail Bayern by four points in the table and expect star striker Erling Braut Haaland to be sidelined until January with a leg injury.
Haaland sat out Wednesday's 1-1 draw at home to Lazio, in which defender Mats Hummels had to be helped off with an ankle injury.
"Erling will not play until early January. Maybe he played too much," Lucien Favre said. "He was injured in training. We initially thought it was not that bad. We cannot change it."
Haaland has scored 10 goals for Dortmund in the Bundesliga this season.
England midfielder Jude Bellingham was also left limping, while defender Thomas Meunier and midfielder Emre Can were already sidelined with knocks.
On Sunday, third-placed Bayer Leverkusen can inflict more misery on bottom side Schalke who are on a 25 match winless streak, inching towards the league record of 31 games without a win.
