Bayern back from Dubai in upbeat spirits

Non-stop sunshine, 30-degree heat, palm trees, a breathtaking skyline featuring the freshly-opened world’s tallest building, and dramatic contrasts, typified by the muezzin regularly calling the faithful to prayer from the neighbouring mosque - Dubai would have been a fine choice for a vacation, but the players who represent Germany’s most successful club went to the Gulf emirate to break sweat.

In their six days away, the stars completed ten intense training sessions and a gruelling fitness test. “The players worked hard and I’m very satisfied,” Louis van Gaal declared shortly before the return flight to Munich on Sunday. “Every player gave 100 percent, all the players were hungry, the mood in the dressing room is excellent. We’ve had a very good training camp.”

Tough but beneficial

Christian Nerlinger shared those “very positive” sentiments as the party returned to snowy Munich. “The team threw themselves into it and have laid a good foundation for the rest of the season,” the director of sport told fcbayern.de. The players have come away with the same sense of achievement. “The training was hard but good. We’ve reached a good level in a short space of time,” commented Edson Braafheid.