Several FC Bayern players will be involved with their national teams at the World Cup. In club magazine 51, our boys reveal who we should look out for from their sides, how they rate their chances and who their favourites are. Up first is Benjamin Pavard for France.
Interview with Benjamin Pavard
How do you see your chances?
Pavard: “We’re coming into it as the holders, so we know what’s expected of us. Like 2018, we have to take it one game at a time, every game will be a test, and that’s how we’ll have the best chance of going far in the tournament.”
Four FCB players have been called up for the French team in Benjamin Pavard, Kingsley Coman, Dayot Upamecano and Lucas Hernández. Illustration: Davide Barco
What’s special about your team?
“I’d say we’re a united team, whether that’s the players or the whole coaching staff. We’re all pulling in the same direction, and that’s a strength we’ve been able to develop over a number of years now. We demonstrated that against Belgium in the Nations League. That energy has to carry us.”
Which player from your team should fans particularly watch out for?
“It’s hard to choose in the French team, which is good because the threat can come from everywhere. If I had to make a choice, you can probably mention Karim Benzema as he’s just won the Ballon d’Or. And rightly so.”
Who are the favourites for you and why?
“There are some very good teams there: Argentina, Brazil, Senegal with Sadio, who are going there as African champions. I’ll keep my favourites to myself out of superstition, but I'm sure it's not hard to guess who I'm thinking of.”
A total of 17 FCB players from eight countries have been selected for the World Cup in Qatar:
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