FCB on track at midpoint of pre-season

Not one weather forecast had predicted lightning in Munich on Thursday, but the Säbener Strasse training ground still flickered with countless bright flashes. However, it was an unusual ‘storm’, as there was no thunder either. Instead, there was more of a continuous whirring sound in the background, because it was in fact the day of the annual team photo shoot, with a gaggle of photographers firing away at will.

The stars posed for the cameras for a total of more than three hours, as a squad, in various groups and as individuals. They lined up in the parking lot, on the training ground and in the sports hall, for the official team photo, the sponsors and last but not least for the German Football League (DFL). “It's all part of our job," commented veteran Daniel van Buyten, “it's good that you get everything done in one session." In practice, it means only a temporary break in the training schedule.