Lahm and Neuer resume training in Säbener Strasse

Winter is slowly but surely drawing in at the Säbener Strasse facility. Manuel Neuer and Philipp Lahm, who returned from Germany international duty on Sunday and completed individual workouts yesterday, were no exception in their choice of kit when they rejoined their club colleagues.

When the Germans face England in a prestige friendly on Tuesday night, Neuer and Lahm will be watching on TV. “It was all arranged with the national coach,” said Lahm. “Obviously it’s always good to play at Wembley because we have great memories of the stadium.” Nevertheless, the versatile defender said he was “glad to have a couple of days at home.” And, added Lahm, the regeneration training of the last couple of days has done “a great deal of good.”

Lahm and Neuer Return to Munich

Philipp Lahm and Manuel Neuer have returned early from international duty. On Saturday, the day after Germany’s 1–1 draw with Italy in Milan, the Bayern pair returned to Munich while the rest of the German squad travelled on to England prior to Tuesday’s friendly at Wembley. “The game against England is our last opportunity to try out a few tactical and line-up variations before the World Cup,” commented national coach Joachim Löw, explaining why he was declining to field his captain and first-choice goalkeeper in London. “The important thing at the moment is for me to try out other players in key positions and give them a decent chance against a great team like England.“

Reaction to Viktoria Plzen v Bayern

Pep Guardiola: “We knew it wouldn’t be possible for the game to go as well as it did in Munich. All matches in the Champions League are dangerous. Plzen are a very, very good team. And if you lose 5-0 like Plzen did, you’re even more focused in the next match because you’re determined to do better. We spoke about all this beforehand. We played very well in the second half and created plenty of chances. I’m very, very happy we’ve equalled this record, and I hope we can extend it in Moscow. I’m grateful to Jupp. He’s made a bigger contribution to the record than I have.“

Philipp Lahm: “As quickly as possible, we have to make sure we don’t sleep through the early stages like we’ve been doing recently. We keep letting our opponents believe they can take something from the match. We beat Plzen 5-0 at the Allianz Arena, so it’s possible we were a bit more relaxed about tonight’s match, but we can’t be letting that happen! This is the Champions League! That aside, we can be pleased because we have a perfect record of 12 points from four matches.“

Six Bayern Stars Nominated for the World Player of the Year

The footballing world has paid a huge compliment to Bayern and six of their stars with the nomination of Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller, Manuel Neuer, Franck Ribéry, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger for the World Player of the Year award. The longlist of 23 candidates announced by FIFA on Tuesday includes half-a-dozen of the key figures from last season’s treble winners. The supremo who masterminded the historic campaign, Jupp Heynckes, is on the shortlist for Coach of the Year 2013.

Among the players, the shortlist of three will be announced in early December. The final vote is taken among the captains and coaches of the world’s men’s international teams, and a panel of international media representatives selected by leading magazine France Football. The winner of the vote will be announced on 13 January 2014 at the FIFA Ballon d'Or Gala in Zurich Kongresshaus.

The last German player to win the prestigious award was Lothar Matthäus in 1991. Argentina and Barcelona striker Lionel Messi has topped the vote for the last four years in a row. Bayern’s Franck Ribéry could be poised to interrupt that streak, as he was named UEFA Best Player in Europe in August ahead of Messi and rates as one of the top favourites for the World Player vote.

Six Bayern stars were initially nominated for the award in 2012, but only Manuel Neuer made it into the final 23.

World Player 2013 long list of 23:

Gareth Bale (Wales)
Edinson Cavani (Uruguay)
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)
Eden Hazard (Belgium)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden)
Andrés Iniesta (Spain)
Philipp Lahm (Germany)
Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Thomas Müller (Germany)
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
Neymar (Brazil)
Mesut Özil (Germany)
Andrea Pirlo (Italy)
Franck Ribéry (France)
Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany)
Luis Suárez (Uruguay)
Thiago Silva (Brazil)
Yaya Touré (Cote d’Ivoire)
Robin Van Persie (Netherlands)
Xavi (Spain)

Quotes from Franz Beckenbauer

Look at his (Philipp’s) outstanding performances at the moment in central defensive midfield for Bayern. And there’s his consistency too. I can’t think of a single other player who’s been as consistently good at the highest level over a period of years. Not a single one!

- Franz Beckenbauer