Schalke - Bayern Munich preview: Bayern entering decisive phase – Muller

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller says his side's return to Bundesliga action after the international break will be "decisive" in their quest to retain the title.

The champions begin a sequence of eight fixtures in the space of a month with a difficult trip to Schalke, where they will face a side who have not won in their last six matches in all competitions.

Schalke, though, have lost just once at Veltins Arena in the league this season, and Muller expects Andre Breitenreiter's side to be hungry for a scalp.

Muller told FC Bayern TV:  "They will have their backs to the wall at home in front of their own fans.

"There are easier fixtures coming off the back of the international break.

"We have to take all three points. We are entering a decisive phase in the season."

Bayern will be without midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who picked up a knee injury during Spain's 2-0 friendly victory over England and is expected to be out for four weeks. He joins Franck Ribery (ankle), Mario Gotze (hamstring) and Juan Bernat (groin) in the treatment room.

Schalke coach Breitenreiter welcomed 10 internationals back to his squad with no new injury problems, but he will be unable to call on midfielder Johannes Geis, who is suspended for the visit of Bayern.