Next test for FC Bayern Women: the Munich girls continue their preparations for the new season on Saturday 10 August against Czech champions Slavia Prague. The meeting takes place at the FC Ruderting sports ground, in the Bavarian district of Passau, at 14:00 CEST. Tickets will be available on the day.
The state of play
The defending German champions have been in pre-season since the end of June. In that time, FCB Women have played two friendlies behind closed doors, beating FC St. Gallen 5-2 and winning 3-0 against second-tier side FC Ingolstadt 04.
Forward Pernille Harder scored twice in the first friendly against St. Gallen.
The opponents
Slavia Prague finished top of the 1. Liga Zen in the Czech Republic last term. They've already played four friendlies this summer: the Sešívaní kicked off with a 1-0 win against WKS Slask Wroclaw (Poland), followed by an 8-0 thrashing of MFK Ružomberok (Slovakia), before suffering their first defeat of pre-season against VfL Wolfsburg (2-1). Last weekend, the Prague side claimed a 3-0 victory against Pogon Štětín (Poland).
The team news
As well as long-term absentees Lena Oberdorf (ACL and MCL) and Katharina Naschenweng (knee), head coach Alexander Straus must again do without Germany internationals Klara Bühl, Giulia Gwinn, Lea Schüller and Sydney Lohmann, who are playing for the bronze medal at the Olympic Games against Spain today. Ana Maria Guzmán is still building up her fitness after her knee injury and isn't yet ready to feature, while goalkeepers Anna Wellmann (muscular) and Ena Mahmutovic (foot) are also unavailable for the friendly in Ruderting.
Head coach Alexander Straus is looking forward to having the support of the FC Bayern fans.
What Alexander Straus says
Alexander Straus: "We're looking forward to seeing our fans there and to a good friendly. We need to implement the things we've been working on in training in recent weeks in the game step by step. It's important that all the players get into a rhythm and friendlies are ideal for that. It's not long until the season begins and we need to be on it from the first minute."
The match report from FCB Women's second friendly:
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