For many Bayern players, the crucial stage of the run-in with their national teams has begun. There is just more than two weeks to go before the start of the World Cup in Russia (14.6.– 15.7.). There are number of internationals coming up over the next few days. fcbayern.com provides an overview.
Tests for Manuel Neuer
The national coaches have until 4 June to submit their final squads to FIFA. Joachim Löw has arranged two friendlies against the Germany U20s on Monday and Wednesday for his team including Bayern pros Manuel Neuer, Niklas Süle, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, Jérôme Boateng, Thomas Müller and Sebastian Rudy before Die Mannschaft take on David Alaba's Austria in Klagenfurt on Saturday (18.00 CEST).
Under competitive conditions, the decision will be made as to whether Neuer will travel to Russia with the reigning world champions. "I feel really good," said the 32-year-old optimistically without fear of any further injuries. "If you pull out of a challenge then more can happen than if you get stuck in. It's not right for a goalkeeper to be hesitant." In the final friendly before the World Cup, Germany play Saudi Arabia in Leverkusen on 8 June (19.30 CEST).
Home games for Tolisso, Thiago and Lewandowski
The first friendly of the week involving Bayern players is on Monday night (21.00 CEST) with
Corentin Tolisso is set to play for France against Ireland in Saint-Denis. France also have friendlies on 1 June against Italy (21.00 CEST in Nice) and USA on 9 June in Lyon. Joint favourites Spain have their first friendly against Switzerland on 3 June (21.00 CEST) in Villareal before Thiago & Co. round off preparations for the World Cup on 9 June with a game against Tunisia (kick-off time to be confirmed).
On the way to his first World Cup, Robert Lewandowski is looking to find form with two home games. Poland entertain Chile (without the injured Arturo Vidal) in Posen on 8 June (20.45 CEST) and then play Lithuania in Warsaw on 12 June (18.00 CEST). World Cup opponents Colombia only have one friendly arranged to date. The Cafeteros, led by captain James Rodríguez, play Egypt in Milan during their training camp on 1 June (21.15 CEST).
While Austria have not qualified for the World Cup, their coach Franco Foda is using the next few weeks to work with his team in friendlies. In addition to the fixture against neighbours Germany, the team with Bayern defender Alaba also have games against Russia in Innsbruck (30 May, 20.45 CEST) and Brazil in Vienna (10 June, 16.00 CEST).It remains to be seen to what extent the 25-year-old can contribute given that Alaba is currently struggling with a back problem.
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