South Korea pre-season tour Bayern Munich's "most successful ever"
Bayern Munich have arrived back in Germany after a brilliant tour of South Korea that saw them experience the local culture and beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in a friendly.
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The record champions were in Korea from July 31 to August 5, expereincing the local culture of defender and home hero Minjae Kim.
Ahead of the trip Bayern's squad was dramatically boosted by the return of Germany internationals Thomas Müller, Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer. The day before departing they also announced the arrival of defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha, with the Portugal regular joining from Premier League side Fulham and heading off to Korea with his new teammates.
There, Bayern got to experience Seoul from the top of the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel, while some players ventured out into the town centre to try out local streetfood like ramen noodles and bubble tea.
Watch: Bayern arrive and train in Seoul
Having trained at the Goyang Stadium, they then got down to the important business of their third match of pre-season, taking on Tottenham at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Goals from Gabriel Vidović and Leon Goretzka sealed a 2-1 win for Bayern, who left the country filled with positivity.
Speaking at the conclusion of the trip, sporting director Max Eberl said: "It has been the most successful tour FC Bayern's ever had, from a merchandising point of view but particularly because the club has overall developed and set new standards in this area with every tour."
Execitive vice chairman Michael Diederich added: "The feedback from Asia confirms once again that FC Bayern engages authentically with the people and issues in the respective regions, and this is appreciated. We establish and deepen lasting contacts in sport, business, society and politics. The club has left behind an excellent calling card."
It is the second time in as many years that Bayern have visited Asia, following last summer's trip to Japan and Singapore. They also stopped off in China and Singapore in 2017, but this is the club's first visit to South Korea.
Bayern have returned home after a successful tour which saw the return of a number of first team stars, a win over Tottenham Hotspur, and an amazing time enjoying South Korea.
90'
Joshua Kimmich's thoughts
“You could already see a certain thumbprint. I think it was nice for the spectators too, it went back and forth. Both teams played attacking football and pressed one-on-one. I’m very hungry for the new season and we have ambitious goals together.”
90'
Thomas Müller on the win over Spurs
“Today’s match was very intense. The intensity is always high in clashes with Tottenham but our plan worked very well. We should’ve led by more at half-time. Overall we feel good. Considering that many players resumed training just a few days ago and then we go and produce a first half like that, I’m satisfied. So may it continue."
7:35
Watch: Highlights of Bayern's win over Tottenham
90'
Neuer impressed
Goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer was equally pleased by the team's performance against the Premier League side, saying: "We got off to a good start, we put Tottenham under pressure early on and allowed them little. We created many chances by winning the ball high up the pitch. It’s just fun to see the team reward themselves for the hard work. We turned in a very good display in the first half in particular.”
90'
Post game thoughts
Following an impressive win over Tottenham in Seoul, coach Vincent Kompany was pleased by the mentality shown by his side, as he told the official club website: "We made a lot of substitutions and the boys created a lot of chances – that was a sign of strong mentality." Thomas Müller agreed with his new manager, saying: "Our plan worked very well. We should've led by more at half-time. Overall we feel good."
90'
Full time: Bayern 2-1 Tottenham
Kompany's side come away with the win and it's just about deserved on the balance of play. Bayern were by far the better side in the first half and created a number of clear-cut chances, but only held a 1-0 lead at the break thanks to Vidović's early strike. Goretzka added a second early in the second half, but a much-improved Tottenham side pulled a goal back through a Porro stunner.
Full-time
88'
Irankunda goes it alone
The stocky winger receives possession all on his own, wide on the left. He immediately sprints forward into space and as he has no support in the box, he goes for goal himself, producing a fine save from Vicario.
85'
Tottenham pushing
Spurs are trying to grab an equaliser in the closing minutes and are committing plenty of players forward to that end. Bayern are holding firm though.
After a brief drinks break, Bayern are keeping possession well. That will come as a relief to Kompany, as Tottenham had been gaining momentum prior to that.
72'
Almost in!
Tottenham push everyone forward as they seek an equaliser, allowing Bayern a chance on the counter. Laimer plays it forward to Zaragoza, sprinting forward from the halfway line. If he can control the ball he'll only have the goalkeeper to beat, but he can't quite take it in his stride and a defender gets back to clear the danger.
Porro is given time and space to line up a shot, but he's still 30 yards out and off to the right, so there appears to be no imminent danger. However, his shot is so well struck that it leaves Ulreich no chance as it whizzes into the top corner. Game on!
Son gets forward at pace and sends a perfectly weighted pass through for Sarr. He only has Ulreich to beat, but the Bayern goalkeeper produces a brilliant save to keep it out.
56'
Bayern double their lead!
Tel, who has been lively all game, drives forward down the left. Zaragoza peels away to his left, taking a defender with him and allowing Tel to cut inside. He spies Goretzka arriving in the box and slides a pass into him. Goretzka's first effort is saved by Vicario, but the midfielder is alert and tucks in the rebound from close range,
Stanišić plays a delightful through-ball for Zaragoza to chase. He darts into the box on the right and gets a shot away, aiming for the far post, but Vicario saves well.
52'
Six changes from Bayern at the break
Ulreich is on for Neuer, with Bryan, Palhinha, Laimer, Goretzka and Ličina all taking to the pitch as well. Kimmich, Gnabry, Vidović, Pavlović and Müller have gone off.
48'
Kulusevski goes close
Having been largely outplayed for most of the first half, Tottenham immediately try to restore parity, Kulusevski sending a low effort on the spin just wide.
46'
Peeep peeeeep!
Bayern get the action under way again!
Kick-off!
Half-time
43'
Tel again
Nice approach play from Guerreiro and Vidović down the left before a cross is swung over to the right, finding Tel. His first touch is a little bit heavy, meaning he has to rush his finish - and can only prod wide.
39'
Gnabry again!
Some neat, first-time passing from Bayern in tight spaces in the Tottenham area. The ball eventually comes to Gnabry, on the right, and his curling left-footed shot rolls just the wrong side of the far post.
37'
Tel a whisker away!
Vidović flicks a pass with the outside of his right boot to Tel, on the left. He drops a shoulder, jinks inside and shoots, aiming for the top corner at the far post. He's not far off, with the ball fizzing just wide.
29'
Bayern go close again
It's a three-on-three break with Müller leading the charge before slipping a pass forward to Tel on his left. He looks up and tries to find Vidović at the back post, but Son sprints back to clear just in time.
24'
Next opening
Bayern break forward well down the right. Boey pulls the ball back into the middle, and Kimmich's dummy affords Gnabry some extra time and space to shoot, but his left-footed effort is deflected and loops over the bar.
20'
Over from Kim
Kimmich whips in a cross from the right to Kim, in the centre of the penalty box. He guides a header goalwards but it goes just over the bar.
18'
Tel's first sight of goal
Müller spreads the ball wide to the left as Bayern break forward, finding Tel. The French youngster jinks his way to the edge of the penalty area before cutting inside onto his right foot and unleashing a powerful drive at goal that Vicario does well to save.
14'
Boey does well
The Bayern right-back sprints back to make up ground on Son, who had peeled away behind him to collect a long ball. The Tottenham forward was flagged for offside in the end, but it was still a great show of determination from Boey.
10'
Another chance for Spurs!
The English side get forward on the break and go three-on-three. They work it to the left to Kulusevski, who twists and turns to create space, but Stanišić does well to keep his eye on the ball and make a vital block.
8'
Son has a go!
Cutting in from the left unchallenged, Son has time and space to line up an effort at goal. It'll take something special to beat Manuel Neuer from that distance, and Son's effort is wayward, sailing high and wide of the target.
5'
Bayern lead!
An early advantage for Kompany's side! Tottenham try to play out from the back but Gnabry is alert and pounces on the ball out from Vicario. His attempted pass to Tel is intercepted but the ball bobbles up to youngster Vidović, who chests it down and prods the ball through the goalkeeper's legs and into the net.
Müller floats a lovely ball over the Spurs defence from the left, aiming for Gnabry arriving at the back post. He gets there ahead of his marker but can't keep his first-time effort down and it goes just over.
1'
Peeeeep!
And we're off as Tottenham get the ball rolling in Seoul.
Kick-off!
Upamecano, Coman & de Ligt take up pre-season training
Back home in Munich, Dayot Upamecano, Kingsley Coman and Matthijs de Ligt began their preparations for the new season at the club's Säbener Straße complex on Friday, having each enjoyed an extended break after reaching the EURO 2024 semi-finals last month. Leroy Sané is likewise currently preparing for the new season in Munich.
Bayern take in Seoul sights
Bayern's players gathered on a helicopter pad atop the Fairmont Ambassador Hotel in the centre of Seoul for a stunning team photo overlooking the city.
Looking ahead to the new season, Kompany was also firm in his expectations of his team: "We're going to give everything to do better this season. I expect a reaction from everyone, which can already be observed in training..."
Manager's thoughts
Speaking in Friday's pre-match press conference, Vincent Kompany had clear expectations for his players ahead of the game: "We want to build up a good fitness level. I want to see the right mentality, also from the players who haven't been training for as long. Most of the players will be involved tomorrow, but we'll spread out the game time."
Keeping good Kompany
Speaking on his experience working with new coach Vincent Kompany so far, the South Korean defender was excited about their future together:
"He was a great defender who played at the highest level. I'm trying to learn as much as I can from him. He likes defenders who play aggressively, so I think it could be a good fit.
Kim feeling prepared
Ahead of tomorrow's meeting with Tottenham in Seoul, defender Kim Min-Jae spoke on how he feels he has benefitted from pre-season so far in Friday's pre-match press conference: "It's the first complete pre-season that I've spent in Europe. I've normally been moving around a lot, but it's not about me, it's about us gelling as a team, preparing as well as we can and getting used to the new coach."
0:51
Watch: Bayern Munich train in Seoul
Bayern have their first training session of the South Korean tour under their belts.
Leroy Sané back in action
Leroy Sané won't be in Korea as he recovers from a surgery on a groin injuyry, but there is some good news. The Germany international has been back on the training pitch back at Säbener Straße and even working with a ball during an individual session.
Touchdown and straight to training
After landing in Korea, Bayern have headed to the Goyang Stadium for a training session. Vincent Kompany put the players through their paces with sessions of jogging, stretching and ball drills. João Palhinha was present for his first training session in FCB's red.
Palhinha: "I'm very proud to have this opportunity"
Officially unveiled by the club yesterday, João Palhinha is hugely positive about his upcoming time at Bayern Munich. He said, "I'm really enjoying it and looking forward to being on the pitch with the lads and pulling on the shirt. It makes me very proud to have this opportunity."
With the squad now coming together in greater numbers, sporting director Max Eberl has been discussing getting everyone ready for the new campaign. “[The returning players] had their training schedule and so will already be at a certain fitness level,” said Eberl. “We have to continue to adapt, continue to get used to each other, continue to internalise the new ideas. That will be the task in the short time available, but also to regain a bit of confidence with every game.”
Bayern Munich’s Germany contingent of Manuel Neuer, Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala all returned to training following their participation in Euro 2024. The quartet have re-joined their teammates before flying to Korea on Wednesday.
New signing João Palhinha has joined up with his new teammates after his switch from Premier League side Fulham. Vincent Kompany will be eager to start working with the Portuguese midfielder, who reached the quarter-final of Euro 2024 with his country.
New signing Joao Palhinha has joined up with his new teammates
Bayern head to South Korea
The next stop in Bayern's pre-season preparations will be Seoul, South Korea, where they will face Tottenham Hotspur on August 3rd.
Ito to be "out for some time"
Sporting Director Max Eberl has given the following update on Hiroki Ito's first-half injury: "Unfortunately, we were hit by bad luck with injuries. Now his metatarsal is probably broken - so he will be out for some time. This is of course very bitter. We will give Hiroki the best possible support so that he can be back on the pitch in top shape as quickly as possible."
Fourth tier side Düren hold on for a famous draw against Bayern that will cause plenty of headaches for the record champions. Kompany's outfit looked much better after his string of second-half changes with new signing Nestory Irankunda one bright spot during a difficult afternoon.
Goalscorer Irankunda looks like Bayern's best chance of a second but time is running out.
80' Gnabry with a chance
It's all Bayern now as Gnabry tries to give his side the lead but sees his shot cutting in from the left saved.
77' Close from Ibrahimović!
One of those young subs, Arijon Ibrahimović, tries his luck from range and his shot just goes over the bar.
73' Bayern continue to attack
Kompany's team is looking refreshed after his changes with youth and energy exactly what this match needed.
69' GOAL: Bayern level it up at 1-1!
Youngster Nestoriy Irankunda comes off the bench and instantly gives Bayern a much needed equaliser. A shot is blocked but the summer signing from Adelaide United is there to fire in the rebound.
Goretzka, Raphaël Guerreiro, Bryan Zaragoza, Sacha Boey and Josip Stanišić also head off. On come Aleksandar Pavlović, Arijon Ibrahimović, Nestoriy Irankunda, Serge Gnabry and Noussair Mazraoui.
66' Two changes for Bayern
Kompany calls time on Kim and Dier, replacing them with Noël Aséko Nkili and Javier Fernández.
56' Bayern's eighth corner comes to nothing
Bayern aren't showing much from their set piece chances.
The hosts shake things up. Could this disrupt their rhythm, or give them more energy to see out a shock result?
49' Another shot from Goretzka
Goretzka again tries his luck, but his volley from outside the box sails harmlessly over the goal.
Second half underway
We're back playing again at the Karl Knipprath Stadium.
Half-time: Düren 1-0 Bayern Munich
Vincent Kompany won't be a happy man during the break after a poor performance from his side. Bayern have had a lot of the ball, but haven't seemed to have a strategy of what to do with it. Düren have been far more effective, and their lead isn't a huge shock.
There's a break in play as stewards struggle to deal with a pitch invader.
40' GOAL: Düren take the lead!
Wow! Josip Stanišić messes up a back pass to Sven Ulreich who fails to control the ball. Rafael Garcia, who has looked dangerous throughout with two shots already, capitalises and pokes the ball in for a shock lead.
Bayern will face more of a challenge today than in their previous game against Rottach Egern, with Düren having won the league title last season on the way to promotion to the fourth-tier Regionalliga West. Their squad does also contain some Bundesliga experience, with ex-Cologne pair Adam Matuszczyk and Christian Clemens a part of Düren's squad.
Another chance for the youngsters
With sporting director Christoph Freund confirming that the Germany national team players and new signing João Palhinha still won't be involved yet, it gives young players such as Adam Aznou and Nestory Irankunda another chance to impress new coach Vincent Kompany.
Next up: FC Düren
Vincent Kompany's men will face Regionalliga West side FC Düren on Sunday afternoon as his side continue their preparations for the upcoming season.
8:51
Watch: Bayern Munich 14-1 Rottach Egern
The Bavarians smashed in goal after goal in their opening friendly match of pre-season.
Kompany speaks
The new Bayern coach gave his thoughts after his team's first pre-season game: "First and foremost, it was great to be here with the fans. We did everything we wanted and needed to do (in Tegernsee) in the last days. We had a lot of chances (in today's game) and a lot of young players had their opportunity to play too. The lads fought for every single ball and always tried to give their all. It wasn't about the result today, it was about getting that (match) feeling back."
Game over in Tegernsee as Bayern enjoy a solid run out against ninth-tier Rottach-Egern in their first friendly of pre-season. The Vincent Kompany era thus starts with a victory and a Mathys Tel hat-trick! Next up for the Bavarian giants is a friendly against FC Düren on Sunday.
87' Asp Jensen glances a header towards the target that lands on the roof of the net.
Rottach-Egern 1-14 Bayern
79' Noel Aseko Nkili controls brilliantly inside the area before finding the corner with an innovative finish.
Rottach-Egern 1-13 Bayern
78' Asp Jensen accepts the cut-back and side-foots the ball into the corner of the net.
All Bayern
72' Sacha Boey and Jonathan Asp Jensen both miss chances to increase Bayern's lead as Vincent Kompany's men continue to relentlessly attack .
Rottach-Egern 1-12 Bayern
68' Sadat takes advantage of some slack defending to tap in Bayern's 12th.
Bayern hit woodwork
67' Irankunda goes for the spectacular and connects with the overhead. Mario Weiß pushes the ball onto the post.
Rottach-Egern 1-11 Bayern
65' Sacha Boey's speculative strike takes a wicked deflection that has Mario Weiß scrambling and the goalkeeper ends up punching into his own net.
Rottach-Egern 1-10 Bayern
60' Kompany's men have a tenth goal in this friendly with Nestroy Irankunda getting ahead of Rottach's keeper to knock in from close range.
Rottach-Egern 1-9 Bayern
58' Mudaser Sadat sends the ball home at the second attempt as Bayern's super subs begin to gel.
Rottach-Eggern 1-8 Bayern
55' The men in red have an eighth goal after some terrific work from Irankunda to set up Ibrahimović, who slams in at the far post.
Ito again
54' Ito is again in the thick of the action with an effort on the half-volley that flies over.
Ibrahimović searching
53' Arijon Ibrahimović works goalkeeper Mario Weiß, who keeps the Bayern man at bay.
Ito chance
48' New Bayern signing from Stuttgart Hiroki Ito is straight into the action with a powerful shot that rises into the side netting.
Bayern's second-half line-up
Pavlešić - Manuba, Kim, Ito - Nkili - Sadat, Ibrahimović - Asp Jensen - Boey, Irankunda, Aznou
Peeeeep!
46' Away we go with the second half and their have been wholesale changes for Bayern in this second half ...
Half-time: Rottach-Egern 1-7 Bayern
45' The referee brings the first half to a close with Bayern, and their hat-trick man Mathys Tel, in control. Leon Goretzka ends the half with a knock. Let's see if the midfielder can continue after the break.
Rottach-Egern 1-7 Bayern
41' Tel turns provider this time with a cut-back pass rolled to Guerreiro, who knocks into the empty net.
Rottach-Egern 1-6 Bayern
40' Mathys Tel has a first-half hat-trick, lashing home the loose ball after one more Mario Weiß save.
Fine Weiß display
37' Mazraoui goes close to scoring again with a close-range shot that Mario Weiß saves. The goalkeeper is at it again moments later with another super stop to deny Vidović.
Rottach-Egern 1-5 Bayern
33' Bayern are back in cruise control once more with Noussair Mazraoui finding the corner with a tidy strike.
Rottach-Egern 1-4 Bayern
29' The hosts have hit back! Tobias Schlichtner races away before firing under Ulreich. Huge roars from the 3,000 fans gathered here.
Rottach-Egern 0-4 Bayern
27' Another Bayern goal. This time goalkeeper Mario Weiß won't be happy with himself as he fails to deal with a Bryan centre and can only watch Tel deflect in his second of the game.
Rottach-Egern 0-3 Bayern
26' The floodgates are open now with Tel applying the finish following some solid Leon Goretzka build up.
Rottach-Egern 0-2 Bayern
25' It's Ličina again! This time the youngster sidefoots home with great confidence to put FCB two ahead.
Rottach-Egern 0-1 Bayern
24' Ličina picks up possession inside the area, controls, zips one way and then another before firing into the corner!
Guerreiro effort
23' Guerreiro this tries has a pop from close in but there is Weiß with one more stunning save.
Latest score: Rottach-Egern 0-0 Bayern
20' Still no breakthough for the Bundesliga side here as their ninth-division opponents continue to stand firm.
Weiß in command
17' Mario Weiß is having a blinder here. The custodian pushes a Vidović effort wide before making a flying stop to tip Bryan's shot towards the top corner onto the bar.
No way through
13' Vidović tries one from close range but goalkeeper Weiß holds on at the second attempt. The Rottach-Egern goalkeeper almost spills a subsequent Tel shot but recovers at the last to keep this game scoreless.
Tel again
10' The young French forward is everywhere here and he again gets on the end of a Mazraoui cross from the right but just can't control it.
Bayern hit woodwork
6' Mathys Tel sends a header crashing against the crossbar. Still 0-0 in Tegernsee.
Defence busy
2' Tel heads straight into the arms of the Rottach-Egern goalkeeper, who is quickly in action again to repel another Bayern effort.
Early Bayern chance
1' Vidović dances through before scuffing a low shot wide of the upright.
Game on!
1' Rottach-Egern kick-off this friendly and the first opportunity is not long in arriving.
Teams out!
Both sides take to the pitch in Tegernsee! We're just moments away from kick-off in Vincent Kompany's first friendly game in charge of Bayern Munich.
Captain fantastic
Goalkeeper Sven Ulreich will be Bayern's captain in Tegernsee today.
There is no Harry Kane, Alphonso Davies, Kingsley Coman, Dayot Upamecano, Jamal Musiala, Manuel Neuer Leroy Sané or Joshua Kimmich for Bayern today following their international exploits recently while Serge Gnabry and Aleksander Pavlović are continuing their respective journeys back to full match fitness.
Jamal Musiala and Mathys Tel both scored four goals apiece the last time these sides met in a friendly in 2023. Will the goals fly in Tegernsee once again today? We're about to find out.
Speaking at a press conference recently, new Bayern boss Vincent Kompany said in relation to his team's playing style: "It's about details. It's important to be aggressive and to have control when you have the ball. I'm lucky to be able to work with top players. I used to play with top players too. I have the feeling that they all want to get better. It's a lot of fun."
Bayern are all set to take to the field in friendly action under new coach Vincent Kompany in Tegernsee. FC Rottach-Egern provide the opposition for the Bavarian giants, who racked up a huge score against the same opponents last year.
Kompany on Guardiola's influence
"He is one of the most special coaches of this generation. People like him always influence their players. I respect him a lot, but for me it is important that I talk about my ideas about football. You learn a lot from the coaches you have had - but also from other experiences. Of course Pep Guardiola also had a big influence on me. But it is important to go your own way."
"Harry Kane, Alphonso Davies, Dayot Upamecano and Kingsley Coman will not be there, but hopefully for the first cup game."
Kompany on his defensive tactics
"We don't talk too much about systems. In the Bundesliga, the teams and coaches are very flexible. It also depends on who you're playing against. Sometimes you play more of a zone defense and sometimes you play a man-to-man defense. We know the profiles of the players, where they feel comfortable and will always try to use that as a guideline."
Kompany on Bayern's motto 'Mia san Mia'
"I understand it as a feeling. We have to win and celebrate, but we also have to keep going. It's about the club, the next step - how can we get better? We can be proud of the past, but we are successful because we think about the future."
"We could go through all the names now. Harry Kane, Musiala - what do I think about Goretzka. We could go on like this all evening. But that's not my intention. I played at this level and it doesn't really matter. Nobody ever said about me back then that I would definitely play, even though I was captain. These players are used to meeting the highest standards. We need everyone. If you want to hear names, you're completely missing the point."
Kompany on being a defender's defender
"I felt like I had spoken to everyone. But of course I also like to speak to the defenders. I'm lucky that I work with top players. You always think that it's enough to be at the top level. But I don't have that feeling here at all."
Kompany on his new home
"Bavaria is a special region. There are few regions that have such a culture and are so proud of it. The mountains too. Even a small mountain is difficult to climb. My legs still hurt. Of course, I'm not the only one doing that, but I want to take that extra step, and so does my staff. Hopefully in the next four, five, six or seven years we'll all be adopted in Bavaria."
After taking his first training sessions and ahead of travelling to Korea, new FC Bayern head coach Vincent Kompany is facing the media.
Plenty of new faces
Fans in Korea won't just get to see national hero Kim, but a number of new signings too. Bayern have had a busy summer, landing Michael Olise from Crystal Palace, João Palhinha from Fulham, and Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart. Olise is unlikely to appear as he stars for France at the Olympics, but there's plenty to keep fans entertained.
After their match against Spurs in Seoul, Bayern will face the Premier League side again in London seven days later. Before all of that, though, there are some warm-up friendlies at home in Germany against FC Rottach-Egern and 1. FC Düren.
One friendly planned
Vincent Kompany's men have one friendly on the agenda against Harry Kane and Eric Dier's former club Tottenham Hotspur in Seoul on 3 August at 8pm local time. The team will also hold an open training session at the Seoul World Cup Stadium at 6pm the evening before.
Kim-mania
Bayern will be in South Korea from 31 July to 5 August, and one man will be in particular demand. Defender Minjae Kim has been a popular member of the squad since his arrival last summer and will be the centre of attention among his home fans.
Bayern Munich are off on their ninth Audi Summer Tour this year, but it's the first time the Bundesliga's record champions will head to South Korea. You can follow all the latest updates from their Far East tour here.