The season has just started and here comes the first international break. Over the next week, 12 FC Bayern first team players are set to play for their countries and all are involved in a new competition. From September, the new UEFA Nations League is not just about prestige but alsoqualification for the 2020 European Championships. As all the games involving Bayern players are taking place in Europe there should be fewer travel-related problems. fcbayern.com brings you an overview of where the FC Bayern players are in action.
World Cup winner Tolisso takes on team-mates
A lot of familiar faces, a well-known stadium – nevertheless it will be a completely different game for Corentin Tolisso at the Allianz Arena this time round. Instead of looking to pick up points with FC Bayern, the France international, along with 21 of his World Cup winning team-mates, will be playing Germany on 6 September (kick-off: 20.45 CEST).
"It's the first game for us with the second star on our shirts. It will be very special. Also for me as I’ll be playing against a lot of my team-mates at FC Bayern and also because it's at my stadium, the Allianz Arena. I'll enjoy it," said Tolisso looking forward to his 'home game'.
For the prestigious match to open the newly established UEFA Nations League, Germany coach Joachim Löw has called up seven FC Bayern pros in Manuel Neuer, Niklas Süle, Jérôme Boateng, Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Müller. Three days later, Germany play a friendly against Peru in Sinsheim (20.45 CEST) and the 'Equipe Tricolore' will play their second group match in the Nations League against the Netherlands on 9 September (20.45 CEST).
New coach for Lewandowski and Thiago
After the World Cup in Russia, there were changes in coaches with the Spanish and Polish national teams. In Luis Enrique's first game in charge of La Roja, Thiago and his team-mates have a thriller in prospect against England in the Nations League at Wembley Stadium on 8 September (20.45 CEST). Three days later, Spain entertain World Cup runners-up Croatia in the same competition in Elche (20.45 CEST).
The new Poland coach Jerzy Brzeczek sticks with the tried and tested in his new start with the call-up of captain and record goalscorer Robert Lewandowski to his squad. Poland play Italy in the Nations League in Bologna on 7 September (20.45 CEST) and Ireland in a friendly in Wroclaw on 11 September (20.45 CEST).
David Alaba and Austria have their first game in the National League on 11 September against Bosnia-Herzegovina (20.45 CEST). Before that, Franco Foda's team have a friendly against Sweden on 6 September (20.45 CEST).
After nearly 18 months out, European Champion Renato Sanches is back in the Portugal squad. The team coached by Fernando Santos have a friendly against Croatia in Faro on 6 September, followed by their Nations League opener against Italy in Lisbon on 10 September (20.45 CEST).
Goalkeeper Christian Früchtl is in the Germany U19 squad for the games against Switzerland on 7 September and Slovakia three days later.