The squad is just as small as it was on the first day of the transfer period, the ideal player is suddenly seriously injured and the search for alternatives is hurtful: You might think that everything that can go wrong at all at FC Bayern will go wrong before the new season starts. Frustration is not to be noticed to the residents of Munich after the preparation in the Tegernseer valley however. On the contrary, President Uli Hoeneß’s probably last home game will result in an exuberant celebration that will strengthen the sense of togetherness before the start of the season.
No training sessions, no briefings: Friday was a free day for the FC Bayern pros. Thomas Müller, Robert Lewandowski, Thiago and Lucas Hernandez sailed over the glittering water of Lake Tegern at sunny noon in small boats, while Joshua Kimmich, who had been in the father role since May, took his Lina on a baby carriage tour and David Alaba slurped a milkshake on the hotel terrace in the presence of a few friends.
It was a perfect summer’s day, which gave anything but the impression that anyone would be bothered by the fact that the German record champion’s squad still counts only 18 field players three weeks before the transfer window closes, and that in no case will they be able to benefit from the immediate help of Leroy Sane, who has been declared a wish-list player.
This impression was also reinforced a few hours later when President Uli Hoeneß invited us to a traditional team evening in the noble Freihaus Brenner restaurant not far from his estate in Bad Wiessee. There, in front of a picture book-like mountain and lake panorama, a hearty sausage developed thanks to the fresh regional draught beer, the varied buffet and the brass music, which could hardly be more Bavarian.
The team had laid the foundation stone at a secret Olympics in the adjoining forest. When Javi Martinez entered the dining area, which was open to journalists, it was obvious to him that he and his colleagues must have had a lot of fun during the one-hour teambuilding event.
The Spaniard sat down chuckling on the small stage, grabbed a guitar and began to play. Five minutes later Manuel Neuer appeared and switched in the team clown Rafinha, who had returned to Brazil, via live video, who did not hesitate to accompany Martinez’s wild guitar tinkling with his voice.
But the main attraction at the microphone that evening was another one. Alphonso Davies, the 18 years young and in the public usually rather silent Canadian, warbled in front of the assembled Bavarian troupe “I will always love you” by Whitney Houston.
The high notes he struck during his interlude caused tears of laughter among his fellow players. But also the “Country Roads” covered by Jann-Fiete Arp and the performance of the two trainer brothers Niko and Robert Kovac, who sang “99 balloons” by Nena, lifted the mood.
The only one who didn’t seem to have fun all evening was Hasan Salihamdzic. The sports director latched on almost every 15 minutes to make telephone calls away from the festivities. The transfer theme, which lasted until September 2, was also present at this evening in Bavaria.
But the grandees at the table were unconcerned. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, who arrived later and who before the lost Supercup against Borussia Dortmund had said mischievously grinning that he had “never” been so relaxed in his function as chairman of the board as this summer, infected the obligatory winner’s cigar together with his friend Hoeneß after the main course. As if they had something to celebrate rather than complain about. Ivan Perisic’s commitment? Timo Werner’s? Or is it Leroy Sane’s?
For SOCCERSCORE and Goal there were no news about transfers to be obtained that evening. Hoeneß, like Rummenigge and Salihamidzic recently, did not signal his willingness to be looked into the cards. Accompanied by his wife Susanne and his Labrador hybrid Ben, he was only out to enjoy the evening to the full, true to the club credo “Mia san mia”. Possibly because it was probably his last evening of this kind, his last home game in the Tegernsee Valley.
According to the picture, his retreat in November has already been decided, and Hoeneß himself does not want to give any information about his plans for the future until 29 August. In recent months, the 67-year-old was at least not tired of stressing that he wanted to spend his retirement with his Susanne far away from the hustle and bustle of football.
On this beautiful Friday, however, the President let those present know once again in his short speech: “With this good weather and this good mood, the season should not only begin, but also end. I promise you: When we reach our goals, we will meet again for a big party!”
