11 Bayern stars on international duty
Seven FC Bayern players are in the Germany squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against the Netherlands and France. On Friday, coach Joachim Löw called up captain Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels, Jérôme Boateng, Niklas Süle, Leon Goretzka and Thomas Müller for the matches against the Elftal in Amsterdam on 13 October and against the reigning world champions in Paris three days later.
After a goalless draw in the first group match against Les Bleus, Löw’s team need points from their next two matches. Otherwise, the four-time world champions could be relegated from the top League A of the newly-created UEFA competition. On Tuesday, the team will gather in Berlin to prepare for the clashes with Oranje and World Cup holders France.
Elsewhere, Austria boss Franco Foda initially named David Alaba in a 24-strong party for the Nations League match against Northern Ireland (12 October in Vienna) and a friendly in Denmark (16 October), but the FCB defender was forced to pull out of the national team squad after sustaining an injury in his club's Bundesliga defeat to Mönchengladbach.
Lewy meets Sanches - James in the States
Munich midfielder Thiago stands a good chance of representing former world champions Spain in their two games during the international break. National team coach Luis Enrique has called the 27-year-old into his squad for the friendly meeting with Wales in Cardiff on 11 October and the Nations League showdown against England in Seville on 15 October.
Meanwhile, Bayern hitman Robert Lewandowski spearheads the 27-man Poland squad for the two Nations League matches in Chorzow against European champions Portugal with Renato Sanches (11 October), and three days later against Italy. Sanches could also feature in Portugal's friendly against Scotland in Glasgow on 14 October.
Midfielder James Rodriguez has the longest trip of all the Munich men. The 27-year-old is set to contest two friendlies with his Colombia team in the United States, against hosts USA (11 October in Tampa, Florida) and five days later against Costa Rica in New Jersey.