FCB versus Juve at the home of the Super Bowl champions

After four training sessions in Philadelphia, Bayern finally play their next friendly on Wednesday evening (19:00 local time) as they take on Juventus in the International Champions Cup. “It’s good practice to play against the very best teams,” said Javi Martínez ahead of the game at the Lincoln Financial Field, the home of Super Bowl champions Philadelphia Eagles. “It’s a breathtaking stadium. We’re very happy to play in this tournament.”

For coach Niko Kovac, the top-level clash will provide another good measure of the team’s current state. “The result isn’t that important,” commented the 46-year-old. “I want to see what the players can do both physically and tactically. The more I see of that, the happier I am.”

Special match for Coman

Kovac therefore wants to give playing time to as many players as possible. “We’ll be able to see most of them play tomorrow. We can make 11 substitutions, so unfortunately it won’t quite be everyone,” revealed the Bayern boss. Kingsley Coman is one who will almost certainly get a runout, and for him it’ll be a special match. The Frenchman spent one year at the Italian record champions.

“It’s always a special feeling to play against your old club. You meet a lot of people who you know,” said the winger. During his time in Turin, he also learned some of the things he’s again faced with now. “At Juve we trained hard and under the new coach we’re also working very well. We’ll see the fruits of this labour when the league begins,” added Coman.

For him, the game will also be another step on the path back to the form he showed last season before his serious injury in February. “I was in great form before I got injured,” stated the 22-year-old. “I hope I can regain that form. I feel very good but I’m not yet at 100%.” A friendly against top opposition will certainly help that.