World Squad coach Roy Makaay: 'I've never trained in front of a backdrop like that'

The FC Bayern World Squad have been back in Munich since Monday. In the USA, the coaching team were able to get an idea of this year's squad in the training sessions, the TST Tournament and the two matches in Miami and Washington D.C. Now it's time for an interim report. We met up with head coach Roy Makaay and assistant Diego Contento again to find out more about the experiences and developments of the last two weeks.

Interview with Roy Makaay and Diego Contento

You were away with the players in the USA for the last two weeks. How do you assess the World Squad's sporting progress since the start of the trip?
Roy Makaay: "The boys have done very well so far. They were already able to implement some of the things we've been doing in training in the games against Inter Miami and D.C. United. And that's after only about a week of training as a team."

Diego Contento: "I also find the development very positive. We've just been away together for two weeks, the players are doing really well and working hard."

Aside from the team performance: are there individual players who particularly stood out in the USA because of their performance or their attitude?
RM: "Obviously some players stand out more than others. In my opinion, in the last two weeks it was Mo, Ignacio, David and Maycon."

On reflection, how do you assess the TST Tournament?
RM: "We gave a good account of ourselves in the TST Tournament, despite being by far the youngest team. It was certainly a challenge for the boys, but we represented the club well on and off the field."

DC: "For me personally, it was a great experience. I also joined in myself. The most important thing is to have fun, and we certainly did that."

After the TST Tournament, it was onto Miami and Washington D.C. Roy, as head coach how do you assess the team's performance in the games against Inter Miami and D.C. United?
RM: "The performance of the team was very good, especially when you consider that they had two games in two days. The game against Inter Miami had to be postponed by a day because of the weather, which wasn't ideal. It was a fair draw against Inter and a deserved win against D.C. – if anything we should've scored more goals."

In addition to commitment and performance on the pitch, discipline and respect are very important to both of you. Diego, to what extent do the boys fulfil your expectations in this respect? Were there any situations in the USA that you weren't happy with? 
DC: "They're really fulfilling mine, or rather our, expectations completely. For me, discipline and respect are basic requirements in order to improve, and if you get that right you can go far. There were certainly some situations that I wasn't happy with, but they were more little things, like being late for breakfast or for meetings. But then they also understand when you speak to them about it."

What was your personal highlight from the USA tour?
RM: "From a sporting point of view, I'm pleased that we turned in two good performances. The training session in Central Park was also very special. I've trained in many places in my career as a player and coach, but never in front of a backdrop like that."

DC: "I have to say, the whole trip was one big highlight for me. I'm new to the team and the whole time in the USA was very special for me."

You've worked together in the coaching team for about three weeks now. How's it going? How are the tasks allocated?
DC: "The role allocation is clear: Roy is head coach and I'm assistant coach. I support where I can and try to pass on as much of my experience as possible to the players. As a coach, though, I can learn a lot from Roy myself."

RM: "In terms of the working relationship, it's going brilliantly and we're working well as a team. Diego supports and helps me in training and in the games. It's his first experience as a coach and he's doing really well."

What will you work on more intensively with the boys in Germany? Where do you see potential for improvement?
RM: "We took a few things away from the matches against Inter Miami and D.C. United, which we're discussing with the boys now and addressing together in training. And then we'll try to take another step forward on Friday in the match against the U18 Tyrol team."

DC: "The boys have already shown us in the USA that they've got what it takes, now it's all about honing them and optimising things. Let's see what else we can get out of them.“

Roy, this is your second year as coach of the World Squad. What differences have you noticed between this year's squad and last year's? And how does this year's trip differ from last year's?
RM: "The training in the USA was significantly more strenuous compared to Argentina last year, mainly because of the many changes of location. In terms of the squad, this year's is noticeably calmer, so it's going better off the pitch. But on the pitch, the class of '23 scored goals more easily. So far this year we've struggled with that."

We already asked you before the trip for your assessment for the match against the FC Bayern U19s, and now you've been able to see the players in action in the USA. How do you see the World Squad's chances now?
RM: "It's still difficult to judge. The pressure is definitely on FC Bayern U19s, they normally should beat us. But we saw last year that a lot is possible if you give everything as a team."

DC: "I'm positive, we certainly have a chance. If you want to beat the youth team of one of the best clubs in the world, you have to train and invest a lot, which the boys are doing. We're preparing ourselves and anything is possible in football."

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