Alaba switches back to attacking mode

Pictures of a sleeping Franck Ribéry are an integral part of any Bayern trip, and the man taking the pictures is always David Alaba. The 24-year-old filmed his French friend on the flight to the States again and published the clip on social media. “I think it's funny that he adjusts his backrest as soon as we start,” Alaba explained with a grin in Chicago.

Alaba and Ribéry are often seen together in the Windy City. “We went out a little, for a coffee,” said Alaba, referring to a stroll through the city. The Austrian and the Frenchman are also out on the pitch together again. “The coach knows I can take several positions, that I like to play in midfield, but that I also form a very strong left wing together with Franck,” commented Alaba.

'Very good impression' of Ancelotti

Alaba has “put behind” the EURO in France, where Austria were eliminated as bottom of the group. “It was painful and not easy to deal with, but I had enough time on holiday.” Now the Austrian is looking ahead, speaking of a “very positive” first week under Carlo Ancelotti. “We all have a very good impression of the coach, and we have a lot of fun in training. He handles the players very well, both the youngsters and the big players. He talks a lot to us about his ideas, and we try to put them into practice.”

Alaba has returned to attacking mode, the ball at his feet, a camera in his hand. The Bavarians are in for a few more flights during the Audi Summer Tour 2016, so more footage of a sleeping Ribéry is to be expected. The French winger has not complained or taken revenge so far, said Alaba with his typical Viennese humour: “After all it's hard for him to take revenge if he's sleeping all the time.”