Ismael Saibari: "When Bayern played against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-final, my agent asked me: ‘If one of the two clubs came for you now, trying to sign you, which one would you choose?’ - I immediately said Bayern. The fact that I’m actually wearing the Bayern shirt now makes me very proud" [Säbener 51]
Ismael Saibari on his connection with Abdelhak Nouri and picking the number 34: "What happened to Abdelhak just breaks my heart. I’ve talked about it a lot with my mum, and visiting people who are ill is also part of my religion, Islam. The connection to Abdelhak’s family came about through my agent. He works with Abdelhak’s brother. The relationship has grown closer day by day, including between the families. We even go on holiday together. When I see Abdelhak, we always have a great time. It’s a lovely thought for me that this joy might perhaps help improve his condition. Abdelhak can’t speak, of course. He communicates with his eyebrows, and it was very clear to see just how happy he was for me. I also left it up to him to decide which shirt number I’d wear at Bayern. He chose 34, so that’s the one I went for" [Säbener 51]
Eric Dier writes a letter to his friend and former teammate Harry Kane in @kicker after the latter won Germany's Footballer of the Year award
"Hi Harry, do you still remember the trip to Perth?
It’s been three years now, but I haven’t forgotten that trip. We were on our way to the pre-season tour with Tottenham, and on the flight over, you told me for the first time: FC Bayern wanted to sign you, and you wanted to move to Bayern as well. We both said that it was probably going to happen - but at the time, we couldn’t have imagined just how perfectly it would actually work out.
And do you remember? nine years earlier? Upton Park on a Saturday afternoon, Premier League matchday. West Ham against Tottenham. I had only just moved from Sporting to Spurs. You came on as a substitute and saw me simply run from the back all the way to the front. Your through ball, me scoring in the 1–0 winner in the third minute of stoppage time. My debut - wow! And that’s how it all started for us. Although, if we’re honest, not that much happened between us at first, did it? We were teammates back then, and we got along. Nothing more than that, really. But we only became friends later, didn’t we? Maybe that was also because we were just 20 and 21 years old, focused on the careers we had only just begun.
Do you remember how people described you as a ‘one-season wonder’ for five years? After 21 goals in the league? The following year you scored 25. Then 29. Then 30. That never bothered you. You just wanted to show everyone what you were capable of, year after year. You never stopped working. You simply got better and better
And even today, after all the Golden Boots, the Golden Shoe and whatever else, you’re still the same person - and that’s something I really admire about you. You and your family are role models for other people, people who have simply remained down-to-earth and humble. You show that hard work can make anything possibe
The move to Bayern did you so much good. But not only because you finally won the titles that eluded you at Tottenham. You simply needed that challenge, didn’t you? That step up to the next level. What an incredible level you have reached
How cool was it that we were able to celebrate together that night when we were officially crowned champions… We had to wait much longer for it than we would have liked, but I think we both agree that we learned some valuable lessons along the way. And damn, how good those cigars tasted by the fire in Ibiza! You deserve all the success you’ve had, and hopefully you’ll win the Ballon d’Or. I’m not saying that just because I’m your friend. The stats and facts speak for themselves - just like all the things that can’t be seen in an Excel table.
Your reliability and your willingness to put yourself at the service of the team are unparalleled.
Greetings from Monaco"
A big part of the reason Bayern have been following some strict austerity measures and spending cuts when it comes to transfers in the past couple of years, is that they've been spending heavily on infrastructure. This strategy made it possible for the club to start the costly Säbener Straße renovation, acquire the Unterhaching Sportpark for the women's team and also plan the construction of of a basketball performance centre at the FC Bayern Campus, which will also be used by the youth footballers, though the costs of the latter will be borne by the club (the registered association e.V.) - all investments that will bring additional revenues in the long run
President Herbert Hainer: "FC Bayern have always been known for being financially very sound. And we still have a bit of money sitting in our fixed deposit account. Everything we own, we have paid for ourselves - and it has all been paid off already."
[@mano_bonke, @kessler_philipp]
Statement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 National AssociationStatement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 National AssociationStatement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 National AssociationStatement on behalf of UEFA and its 55 National Associations
Uli Hoeneß on UEFA boycotting FIFA competitions due to Infantino's plans: "Personally, I don't think the Europeans realize how strong they actually are. A competition without Europeans is worthless. If the Europeans are truly united and work consistently towards this goal, Mr. Infantino won't get away with this plan. If he wants Fiji against Cape Verde at the World Cup, then he can have it"
Uli Hoeneß on the Olise/Real Madrid: "I laughed my head off. He still has three years on his contract, so for me that's not a topic at all. The Emperor of China could come to us and we still wouldn't talk to him [about Olise]. The same goes for Luis Díaz. We have the the best attacking trio in the world with Olise, Díaz and Kane. We wouldn't think about selling any of them"
Tom Bischof: "I want to take the next step now. In midfield, Pavlo, Jo Kimmich and I push each other every day. Everyone wants to play, which makes all of us better and ultimately benefits the whole team. I definitely believe I'm ready for that role."
"I've said it many times: you join FC Bayern because it's a dream and because you can win titles here. As a team, we achieved that exceptionally well. We stuck together incredibly well throughout last season and had a really outstanding campaign."
For me personally, it was a very good season because I learned a lot, developed further, and played in different positions. That helps me for my future career. Now, of course, I hope it gets even better and that I win even more titles"
Tom Bischof on choosing the number 8 shirt: "As a kid, you naturally dream of wearing the No. 10 shirt. I always wanted it too. But now I've moved a bit deeper and mainly play as a #6, so the No. 8 suits me perfectly. I waited out of respect for Leon Goretzka. That's not the kind of thing you ask about in advance. First, I waited to see what Aleks Pavlović was going to do. He's been here longer than I have, he's a close friend of mine, and I have a lot of respect for him. I spoke with him and waited to see whether he wanted to take the No. 8 shirt. But Pavlo decided to keep his current number, so that's how I ended up taking the No. 8. I'm really happy about it. I asked about it, and the club showed their confidence in me by allowing me to wear it" [fcb]
Thomas Müller: "I cannot believe and understand how England approached this game after they're leading. I cannot understand how they invited Argentina to play one cross after the other in perfect crossing positions"