by Dan Gaichas
INTERNATIONAL DUTY: After the Bundesliga got underway last weekend, it’s back to internationals and World Cup Qualifying. No fewer than nine Bayern players will be in action this coming week for international duty.
GERMANY: Manuel Neuer, Joshua Kimmich, Philippe Lahm, and Thomas Muller are part of Joachin Low’s squad that will first play a friendly at Borussia Park against Finland on Wednesday before opening World Cup Qualifying on Sunday in Oslo against Norway. Germany are in Group C with Norway, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan, and San Marino.
AUSTRIA: David Alaba will represent Austria in their opening World Cup Qualifier next Monday in Tbilisi against Georgia. Austria are in Group D with Austria, Euro 2016 semifinalist Wales, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, and Moldova.
POLAND: Robert Lewandowki will try to bring his goal-scoring magic to Astana when Poland play Kazakhstan in a qualifier on Sunday. Poland is in Group E with Kazakhstan, Romania, Denmark, Montenegro, and Armenia.
SPAIN: Thiago and Javi Martinez are part of Julen Lopetegui’s squad for a Thursday friendly against Belgium in Brussels before a qualifier against Liechtenstein in Lyon, next Monday. Spain are in Group G with Liechtenstein, Italy, Albania, Israel, and FYR Macedonia.
CHILE: Arturo Vidal returns to the two-time Copa America winning squad for qualifiers away to Paraguay on Thursday and home to Bolivia a week from Tuesday. Chile lie fourth in South America qualifying on goal difference. The top four in South America qualify for Russia 2018 automatically while fifth place enters a playoff with Oceania.
MR. BOATENG MEETS THE CHANCELLOR: On Sunday, the German Player of the Year Jerome Boateng met German Chancellor Andrea Merkel as part of the Bundestag’s open day. Boateng shared a stage with Mrs. Merkel to discuss integration, his career, and his involvement in the Buntkickgu street football project.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DATES SET: Mark your calendars, the matchdays have been set and here is Bayern’s fixture list for the Group Stage of the UEFA Champions League:
Matchday One (9/13): vs. FC Rostov
Matchday Two (9/28): @ Atletico Madrid
Matchday Three (10/19): vs. PSV Eindhoven
Matchday Four (11/1): @ PSV Eindhoven
Matchday Five (11/23): @ FC Rostov
Matchday Six (12/6): vs. Atletico Madrid
Kickoff times for all Matchdays are at 1:45pm CT except for Matchday Five where the kickoff at FC Rostov will be at 11am CT.
