Five days before they kick off the second half of the season against Hoffenheim, FC Bayern take part in the Telekom Cup 2019 on Sunday. The Reds are part of a strong line-up from the Bundesliga, with Fortuna Düsseldorf, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Hertha BSC also on the starting grid. fcbayern.com has rounded up the facts and stats on Bayern's dress rehearsal before the first competitive game of the year.
Record participants and record winners
Bayern are the only team who have taken part in all nine editions of the Telekom Cup. The men from Munich have won it on four occasions, most recently in January and July of 2017. They travel to Düsseldorf as the holders and the most successful side in the tournament, ahead of Hamburger SV who have recorded two successes in seven attempts.
Top scorers list dominated by Bayern
Robert Lewandowski has netted six goals in the Telekom Cup, making him the all-time leading scorer in the tournament. Behind the Pole are teammates Thomas Müller and Franck Ribéry, former Bayern man Toni Kroos and ex-Hamburg attacker Son Heung-min, who each have three goals to their name.
Important indicator
The Telekom Cup has traditionally been played in the summer and has been regarded as the ‘first title of the season’, but this year it’s taking place during the winter break, as it did previously in 2017. In any case, the competition is a significant indicator for teams ahead of the start of league action. The Bundesliga sides have the opportunity to test themselves at the highest level across two games.
Exciting format
The tournament follows a knockout format, with each match lasting just 45 minutes. In the event of a draw the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout, so the spectators are guaranteed excitement.
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