Bayern Munich Set to Face Hannover in Oktoberfest Kits

Following the international break, Bayern Munich are set to return to Bundesliga action in style on Saturday as they take on Hannover while donning fresh, new kits.

Sponsors Adidas created a special, Oktoberfest-themed uniform for the treble winners, celebrating their Bavarian heritage with a tribute to the 16-day beer festival. Although the party will not begin until September 21, the outfits will first be worn this Saturday. Players will be seen in brown shorts inspired by traditional lederhosen (leather pants), and their typical warmup jackets will be replaced by an Alpine parade variant. To round off the look, the German record champions will wear hats to match their jackets.

Oktoberfest is a serious event in Bavaria, and Bayern have historically made an annual pilgrimage to the festivities at Thereseinwiese, in the Munich borough of Ludwigsvorstadt-Isarvorstadt. But this year marks the first time Bayern have ever brought the party to the stadium, at least in terms of their apparel.

Hannover face Bayern twice in the coming weeks, with the second fixture a DFB-Pokal second-round match scheduled in the midst of Oktoberfest. And the Lower Saxony side will have it all to do against a Bayern team that has historically enjoyed a superb record during Oktoberfest.

Last year, the Bavarians trounced their opponents in all four Bundesliga matches during the festival, winning by an aggregate 9-0 margin. In fact, it's been three years since they conceded in domestic play during Oktoberfest. And there could be no better warmup for Hannover than to face the Bavarians in Munich this Saturday, just as they will later this month.

Hannover will have a weakened squad as they visit the Allianz Arena; their most notable absentee will be striker Mame Biram Diouf, who picked up a knock on international duty. Influential playmaker Szabolcs Huszti was sent off in the third matchday, and, although his subsequent suspension was recently reduced from three to two matches, he will not be available to play this week. Additionally, captain Steve Cherundolo remains sidelined due to a knee injury.

Bayern, meanwhile, will have a strong team available. Although Mario Goetze and Thiago Alcantara are unavailable due to injuries, Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to return well-rested following a two-week break. Pep Guardiola will have fewer options than usual to choose from, but his squad is packed with international-class players, and he will have more than 11 able-bodied, quality players available to do the necessary job.

During Oktoberfest or otherwise, Bayern are always a dangerous team and love a reason to celebrate. This year, the party comes a little early.

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