Forty days since their last match – the friendly against Lindau – the Bayern first team began their 2019/20 pre-season on Monday. Thomas Müller, Thiago, Jérôme Boateng, Javi Martínez, Corentin Tolisso, Renato Sanches, Christian Früchtl and Fiete Arp, together with a number of young players, took to the field for a short session. Captain Manuel Neuer and the other internationals are due back in Munich on Friday, while new signing Lucas Hernández, who was also officially presented at the Allianz Arena, continued his individual programme.
Over 1,000 fans came to see the start of training and watched on as the Bayern players went after the beloved ball with full vigour following the warm-up. As well as the usual rondo at the start of the session, there were various passing drills from small spaces to nearly the length of the pitch, rounded off with a training game. Coach Niko Kovac was right back in his element, conducting proceedings and giving out advice and instructions.
The day had started early in the morning with the obligatory performance tests. Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Holger Broich (head of science and fitness), Müller & Co went through various endurance, speed and jumping strength tests as well as weight measurements, blood and movement analyses. Hermann Gerland, sporting director of the FC Bayern Campus, did not want to miss the start either and welcomed the returnees personally.
Several more training sessions are planned for this week before the squad head to America on Monday for the Audi Summer Tour 2019, where Bayern will play their first pre-season friendlies against Arsenal, Real Madrid and AC Milan. The serious business starts in 40 days, when the Reds begin their Bundesliga defence against Hertha BSC on 16 August.
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