After great performances in the DFB Cup and Champions League as well as two big league games at Leipzig and Dortmund, Bayern have a slightly calmer period now. 11 Reds have left for international duty but rather than battling for points, they’ll be playing important warm-up games for next year’s World Cup. fcbayern.com rounds up who’s playing where and when.
Two tough tests for Germany
For the Germany internationals Mats Hummels, Jérôme Boateng, Joshua Kimmich, Sebastian Rudy und Niklas Süle, two real classic fixtures are on the agenda. The matches against England (10 November, 21:00* in London) and France (14 November, 20:45 in Cologne) are more than just friendlies for the world champions and will also provide them with useful insights against two sides who qualified for Russia just as comfortably and confidently as them.
The second game against France will have particular appeal for the Bayern boys as they’ll come up against their teammates Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso. Before that, Les Bleus play Wales at their home of the Stade de France in Paris (10 November, 21:00) where they’ll be looking to extend their unbeaten run of five games.
Thiago to get a taste of Russia
Spain are without defeat in their last 14 matches and booked their place at World Cup 2018 without any problems. In their friendlies, Thiago and co host fellow World Cup participants Costa Rica (11 November, 21:30 in Malaga) before getting a first look at the World Cup stadium in St. Petersburg against hosts Russia (14 November, 19:45).
For Robert Lewandowski, preparations for his first World Cup start with two games against teams from South and Central America. Poland host Uruguay (10 November, 20:45) and Mexico (13 November, 20:45) in Gdansk.
James clocking up air miles – Transition for Alaba
James Rodríguez has the furthest journey of Bayern’s internationals. The attacker is in the Colombia squad that will face South Korea in Suwon (10 November, 12:00) and then China in Chongqing (14 November, 12:35) as they begin their World Cup preparations with some practice against Asian sides.
This international break will be a bit different for David Alaba. After failing to qualify for the World Cup, Austria find themselves in a transitional period. New coach Franco Foda will be taking the squad to Marbella for a six-day training camp (6-12 November) ahead of a friendly against Uruguay at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna (14 November, 20:45).
*all times CET
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