The FC Bayern pros have had a good three weeks’ vacation after being knocked out of the Club World Cup in the quarterfinals, and now they are starting their preparations for the new season this Monday. Here is the schedule leading up to the start of competitive action.
Apart from long-term absentees Jamal Musiala, Alphonso Davies, and Hiroki Ito, coach Vincent Kompany has a full squad to work with, with everyone expected to return from vacation in good shape. Short-term departures appear likely for Bryan Zaragoza, who is being courted by several Spanish clubs, and Adam Aznou (Everton FC).
Luis Diaz will not be there yet, with his move from Liverpool to Munich looking more than likely. Jonathan Tah and Tom Bischof are no longer new signings after participating in the Club World Cup, while loan returnees Paul Wanner (Heidenheim) and Lovro Zvonarek (Sturm Graz) are part of the squad until further notice. Sven Ulreich will remain with the record champions for another year as number 3.
The preparation time until August 16 is short, at just under three weeks, when the Franz Beckenbauer Super Cup against VfB Stuttgart will be the first title of the season. However, the numerous international players are used to not having much time to get into shape from other tournament summers, so that cannot be an excuse.
Three friendly matches to get in shape
Due to the short time available, FC Bayern will not be holding a training camp, not even at nearby Tegernsee. Instead, Kompany will be able to work on tactics and form with his team in three test matches against foreign first division teams, two of which will be played at the Allianz Arena, the first against Olympique Lyon on Saturday (3:30 p.m.).
Harry Kane will then be reunited with old acquaintances when Tottenham Hotspur come to Munich on August 7, with kick-off at 6:30 p.m. Bayern will travel to Switzerland for their third and final friendly on August 12, facing Grasshopper Zurich at the Letzigrund Stadium at 6 p.m.
Due to the Super Cup, the first round match in the DFB Cup at SV Wehen Wiesbaden has been moved to Wednesday, August 27, at 8:45 p.m. In between, the opening game of the new Bundesliga season against RB Leipzig will take place on August 22 at 8:30 p.m., followed by a friendly match at the Rea Eagles Austria fan club in Tyrol the next day. The final squad with which Kompany will then attempt to win three titles will be announced by the transfer deadline on September 1 at the latest.
