Starke and Ulreich looking forward to top opponents

The atmosphere at FC Bayern could not be better these days. After two weeks of pre-season preparation the pros are impressed by their new coach Carlo Ancelotti and his staff. “It's all been very positive so far, the coaching staff have made a good impression,” reported goalkeeper Sven Ulreich after Friday's last training session before the AUDI Summer Tour USA 2016. “We've worked well in the first two weeks. We can build on that in the next few weeks.”

Ulreich's fellow netminder Tom Starke is also pleased with the new staff. After a long summer break everybody was “very delighted that it gets going with all the changes,” said Starke. “We've all been excited about what's coming, and we still are.” Ancelotti issued an order when he took up duty: “He made it very clear at the beginning that every player should feel comfortable and bring in his qualities.”

Landshut match live on FCB.tv

The 12 pros and a number of youngsters at the Säbener Strasse work hard to lay the foundations for a successful season. “We've done a lot, especially in terms of tactics,” said Ulreich, whereas Starke expanded on the focus. Ancelotti “put emphasis on the balance between pressing and retreating,” the 35-year old revealed.

The Munich men have an opportunity to put the coach's ideas into practice at the weekend as they take on SpVgg Landshut in a friendly on Saturday at 17.30 CET (Live on FCB.tv). “The matches are a welcome change to training and an opportunity to take a step forward in terms of tactics,” Starke explained. Friendlies against lower-tier teams in particular are “very important because you can experiment a little without being punished straightaway.”

On Monday the German record champions will set off for their ten-day tour to the US, where they encounter AC and Inter Milan and Real Madrid. “These games reflect who we are: opponents of this calibre, including Man City. The games that await us in pre-season, it's fun,” an excited Tom Starke said. Ulreich added: “Of course we're pleased when those games are staged in pre-season, and against top-notch opponents. It's nice, and we're looking forward to it.”