Bayern: Pre-season opener in Salzburg with Pranjić
As his new charges prepare for their first pre-season friendly, Louis van Gaal rounded off Thursday training with a game of eleven-a-side. Germany’s most successful club travel to face Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg this evening evening in the 2009 Red Bull Cup. “I hope we see a little bit of what we’ve practised in training this week,” Van Gaal commented, “but it’s still too early to expect very much.”
The Dutch supremo, whose first game in charge at FCB sees him cross swords with fellow countryman and Salzburg coach Huub Stevens, has now held sway in Munich for nine days. The squad has trained hard so far. “There are aches and pains, of course,” reported Andreas Görlitz, “we’re almost always working with the ball, but it’s still hard going. We’re building up stamina at the same time.”
Full house in Salzburg
Apart from fitness training, Van Gaal has focused on introducing his men to a tactical system “which best suits the qualities of the individual players,” he explained. The coach has favoured a 4-4-2 formation with a midfield diamond, playing a fast and accurate passing game and pushing up when not in possession. “It’s already looking very good,” said Mark van Bommel, grateful for Friday’s first true test. “You always look forward to getting back to playing. It’s just a shame it’s on artificial turf.” A 32,000 crowd will fill the Red Bull Arena to capacity and set a new attendance record in Salzburg, where the freshly-installed artificial surface will be used for the first time.
Debuts, reunions and a farewell
Van Gaal intends to give all his players a 45-minute run-out, although five stars are missing with injury or extended leave, and Ivica Olić is serving out a three-game German FA ban in this and the next two warm-up matches. All the other newcomers are set to pull on a Bayern jersey for the first time. SC Heerenveen transfer Danijel Pranjić is expected to be a part of the starting XI in the left midfield.
Friday’s game features a number of reunions with former FCB men. Thomas Linke is assistant director of sport for the Bulls, Alexander Zickler is still playing at the age of 35 – although he is a fitness doubt for Friday – and Niko Kovač will also appear. The 37-year-old is slated to play 15 minutes against former club FCB in a fitting farewell to the professional game.
Salzburg poised for league action
Salzburg are treating the warm-up as a genuine and meaningful test. It is Bayern’s first pre-season outing, but for the Bulls, it is a dress rehearsal: the Austrians face Bohemians of Dublin in Champions League qualifying on Wednesday, with the Austrian league kicking off four days later.
“Salzburg started pre-season earlier than us, and that’ll make a difference,” warned Van Gaal. In any case, FCB director of sport Christian Nerlinger reckons the summer programme “isn’t about results. The players will receive plenty of input, and that’s very challenging. I hope we’re in robust shape by the start of the season.” The 2009 Red Bull Cup is a first litmus test of where the men from Munich stand at this early stage.
Other related headlines
- FC Bayern signs Danijel Pranjić
- Niko Kovač to coach Red Bull Salzburg amateur squad
- Olić & Pranjić report for pre-season training at Bayern
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