Early alarm calls, punishing training and a packed schedule have drained the stars of energy in Doha, but that's not to say the likes of Thomas Müller and Bastian Schweinsteiger have lost the power of speech. The press pack laughed out loud on Monday when Müller took a seat at a press conference with Schweinsteiger and, out of the blue, fired off a question: “Basti, how much are you looking forward to the friendly against Unterhaching?"
Thomas was referring to the clash of brother against brother on 13 January, as FCB reserve Tobi Schweinsteiger has joined Munich suburban club Unterhaching on loan until the end of the season. “Hey Thomas, you're supposed to ask before asking!" Bastian quipped back. The pair grinned, before Schweinsteiger offered an answer to the striker’s question: “I hope we can hand Tobi a defeat. Our centre-backs will definitely be up for it in any case."

Topics of this article