Share

Bayern Munich vs Manchester City

That interest stems from Pep Guardiola wishing to strengthen City’s current full back options, with the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager, perceiving Bellerin as being the ideal candidate to do that.

Advertisement

City head to China for matches against Manchester United and Borussia Dortmund next week, while Bayern also have International Champions Cup duties on the horizon against AC Milan, Inter and Real Madrid.

The pace of the match dropped after that chance, with Bayern controlling the ball and City aiming for the counter, and no major incidents occurred before half-time. Kevin de Bruyne, Eliaquim Mangala and Bacary Sagna are also unavailable after their lengthy involvements in Euro 2016.

Carlo Ancelotti has already strengthened his team ahead of next season with Mats Hummels and Renato Sanches being added to the squad and will be keen to get one over Guardiola, who is likely to get a rousing welcome on his return to the Allianz Arena.

It will be a particularly emotional occasion for Guardiola, who won seven trophies in three successful seasons with Bayern before deciding to take the Premier League plunge with City. Ancelotti, though, insists he isn’t anxious about being in Guardiola’s shadow.

Guardiola can expect a rousing reception from a bumper Allianz Arena crowd as he bids farewell to the locals for one last time after signing off with a domestic double in May. “He did an outstanding job here”.

“I’ll try to introduce my ideas, but Pep has shaped FC Bayern’s style of play of course”. On Saturday, the Bavarians went on the road and beat SV Lippstadt 4-3.

Advertisement

The 57-year-old expects Robben to be fit for the start of the season, while Douglas Costa will resume training in three weeks. “I want my tema to play and show a good performance”, Ancelotti said. His style is so different from the rest that we’re going to see some changes from Manuel Pellegrini’s side right in the first game.

Hector Bellerin