Bayern kick off preseason tour
German giants already have league title ‘ in the bag’
Bayern Munich landed in China on Monday for their preseason tour with the German giants already tipped to win a sixth straight Bundesliga title – fi ve weeks before the new season starts.
Bayern touched down in Shanghai to start their tour of China and Singapore with the new German league season to start on August 18.
They play Arsenal on Wednesday and AC Milan on Saturday, then Chelsea on July 25 and Inter Milan on July 27.
As part of their preparations, the German giants have already won their fi rst title – beating Werder Bremen 2- 0 on Saturday to win a preseason four- team tournament in Moenchengladbach.
The Bavarians have held an iron grip on the German league title for the last fi ve seasons – and one of their rivals has already waved the white fl ag for 2017- 18.
“I turned on the television on Saturday and thought, ‘ Well, that’s it then.’ This Bayern team is not going to be stopped. They already have the [ league] title in the bag,” Martin Kind, president of newly promoted Hanover 96, told German media.
Germany forward Thomas Mueller, who captained Bayern in the absence of injured Manuel Neuer, scored and set up Juan Bernat’s goal in the fi nal, but had a penalty saved.
New signings Corentin Tolisso and James Rodriguez, on loan from Real Madrid, both shone in making their debuts in Bayern’s famous red shirt.
James particularly impressed on the right side of Bayern’s attack.
“You could see that he was always looking to combine. He has a superb left foot and is always looking for where his teammates are,” said Mueller.
Bayern’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti also heaped praise on James, who he worked with at Real in 2014- 15. “In James, we have one more fantastic player.”
The Colombian sees the tour of Asia as a chance to settle into Bayern’s system.
“It was a good start, but I have to get fi tter from day to day. The trip to Asia is a good chance for me to get used to the system,” said James.
Bayern have taken a fullstrength squad to the Far East with only injured trio Neuer, Jerome Boateng and Arjen Robben staying behind.
Ancelotti has also added exGermany and Bayern striker Miroslav Klose to his backroom staff after the all- time top scorer in World Cup fi nals helped coach Germany’s forwards to the Confederations Cup title in Russia.