Normally, a return of two league titles and a couple of domestic and international cup victories is hailed as a successful two terms at the helm of a club. Well, unless if the club's name is Bayern Munich and the coach is called Pep Guardiola. Despite easily winning the league to continue to maintain their title as Germany's best team, die Roten have not enjoyed the success they would have liked in Europe, as they have failed to reach the Champions League final since their 2013 win under Jupp Heynckes.
In his third season with the Bavarian giants, the former Barcelona coach and player is certainy feeling the pressure to get things right this time around. However, their pre-season started off in the same vein as the tail end of last season: on a sour note. In the Telekom Cup, Bayern ended up finishing in fourth after being defeated by Borussia Mönchengladbach and Augsburg.
Hence, upon arriving in China, despite the trio of matches being just friendlies, fans of ther German powerhouse were expecting them to get back on track. Although they suffered a tiny hiccup as Valencia equalized following Thomas Müller's goal, the five-time Champions League winners showed their true class as they rallied back to rout the La Liga side 4-1. Supporters would also have been impressed with the showings of new signing Douglas Costa as he appears to be forming an understanding with his teammates, even setting up Thiago for the squad's third goal.
After starting their China tour off on the right foot, next up on the menu for die Bayern will be the team that defeated them in the 2010 Champions League final - Inter Milan. Since their meeting five years ago, Bayern and Inter have faced off twice, with die Roten earning a slim 1-0 win in February 2011 before the Nerazzurri edged them out 3-2 win a month later.
Unlike Bayern, who have continued to earn their spot as among the top sides on the continent, Inter have suffered a massive fall from grace since finishing up their historic Treble-winning season in May of 2010. Due to an eighth placed finish in the 2014/2015 Serie A campaign, Roberto Mancini's men will not feature in European football for this season and have struggled to match the success of Juventus domestically. In their quest to redeem themselves, they have made some solid signings this summer, including much-coveted French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia from Monaco and veteran defender Miranda from Atletico Madrid.
So far in their pre-season, Inter have started off with two wins, but the fact that they have been unable to keep clean sheets against teams like Stuttgarter Kickers and Carpi will be concerning to Mancini. Bayern will naturally present a much tougher opponent and fresh off a resounding win over Los Che, Guardiola's troops will be keen on keeping up that kind of performance before taking on Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande just two days later on July 23rd. Inter will face AC Milan in a Milan derby four days after this match in the International Champions Cup.
Guangzhou Evergrande, who will be Bayern's final opponent in their China tour, wrote their name in the history books by becoming the first ever Chinese side to win the AFC Champions League in 2013 under the guidance of Italian tactician Marcello Lippi. Now with Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari on the bench, the team, nicknamed the "Southern China Tigers" will come into their clash with Bayern having won two and drawn one of their last three matches. Unlike their European opponents, the ambitious Chinese side are actually in the midst of their competitive season, which began in February.
As such, it will be interesting to see if this, and more time to rest will give them an advantage as they look forward to welcome Germany's top team on Thursday.
Make sure you do not miss out on these two exciting clashes for Bayern Munich as they battle Inter and Guangzhou Evergrande on Tuesday, July 21st and Thursday, July 23rd by bookmarking our two special Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan and Bayern Munich vs. Guangzhou Evergrande for all your broadcast info for wherever you are presently located.
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
This match was not broadcast in United States
International Coverage:
Austria: Sport1 Germany
Germany: Sport1 Germany
Ireland: Sky Go UK, NOW, SKY GO Extra
Switzerland: Sport1 Germany
United Kingdom:
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
This match was not broadcast in United States
International Coverage:
China: Guangdong Sports Channel, Star Sports China, PPTV Sport China
Germany: Sport1 Germany
Ireland: TNT Sports 1
Switzerland: Sport1 Germany
United Kingdom:
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