It all comes down to this as the final and decisive phase of this year’s FC Bayern World Squad season begins for the young footballers from across the world this Wednesday. During their two-week stay in Germany, the youngsters will have the chance to prove their skills once again, as the FC Bayern World Squad project offers them a unique platform not only to get on the radar of those in charge at Germany’s record champions but also that of international scouts. The FC Bayern World Squad will compete against the club’s U19s on 16 July as part of the Allianz FC Bayern Team Presentation.
World Cup winner Klaus Augenthaler back involved
Klaus Augenthaler (2nd r.) previously oversaw the first edition of the FC Bayern World Squad.
“I’m looking forward to finally getting involved and getting to know the boys. The upcoming training camp will be an exciting but also intense experience for everyone,” said 1990 World Cup winner Klaus Augenthaler, who was unable to attend the Brazil trip and coached the team from afar. “After the time in Rio, we’re excited to see how the boys have further internalised what they’ve learned on and off the pitch, and how they can implement it in the upcoming friendly matches.” Alongside Augenthaler and Christopher Loch, Ze Roberto will also be a part of the coaching team again, having previously accompanied the international squad in his homeland in June.
„The absolute highlight will be the game against the U19s at the Allianz Arena, which we are already looking forward to. Here we have to gather all our strength on the biggest possible stage and play as a united team.”
Klaus Augenthaler
However, the squad has changed somewhat compared to the time in Brazil. Three players left the team in Rio de Janeiro, but Dawid Kalbarczyk from Poland and Degnon Julien Brito from Togo now join the squad and replace as back-up players two boys who had to cancel their participation at short notice. In the case of midfielder Mateusz Sobotka, the start of the season at home club MKS Start Nidzica was moved up at short notice, and attacker Nattakit Butsing was called up for the Thailand youth national team. This alone shows how great the quality in the squad is.
The young Bayern squad played out an entertaining 0-0 draw against Flamengo's U20s in their second match in Brazil.
Wolfsburg, Unterhaching and the “biggest possible stage” at the Allianz Arena
As well as several training sessions, the remaining 18 players from around the world can expect two real sporting tests to begin their tour. First, they will play VfL Wolfsburg’s U19s on Saturday, 9 July before taking on the U19s of Unterhaching at the FC Bayern Campus the following Wednesday, 13 July. In addition, numerous activities are planned where the players can grow together as a team and get to experience Bavarian culture and the environment at Germany’s record champions. “We’re very much looking forward to seeing the boys again in Munich, at our home at Säbener Straße, training with them and being able to develop them further,” explained World Squad coach Christopher Loch, who, like everyone else, is looking forward to the crowning finale of the tour.
„After Rio, we are very happy to see the boys again in Munich, at our home at Säbener Straße, to train with them and to be able to develop them further.”
Christopher Loch
“Finally, the match against our U19s at the Allianz Arena as part of the Team Presentation, which is an absolute highlight not only for our boys but also for the coaches,” the 39-year-old added. “The opportunity to play at the Allianz Arena and in front of spectators doesn’t happen every day.” Augenthaler is also “extremely“ looking forward to the clash with Bayern’s U19s on 16 July. “It’s important here to gather all our strength once again on the biggest possible stage and to play as a united team,” added the Bayern Legend, who’s already predicting a positive outcome to the game. “One thing that’s already certain is that every one of the boys will leave the pitch as a winner.”
Click here for tickets to the Allianz FC Bayern Team Presentation.
FC Bayern World Squad documentary in autumn
Fans will once again be able to follow the youth players' complete journey from training to the selection process to the match against FC Bayern's youth team as an eight-part exclusive series. The documentary will be broadcast in autumn on the YouTube channel as well as on the FC Bayern website and selected international media.
Read about the FC Bayern World Squad's journey so far:
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