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Bayern Munich to be Well Represented During International Break

By Benjamin Scott

(L-R) Germany's midfielder Toni Kroos, Germany's defender Mats Hummels, Germany's midfielder Thomas Mueller, Germany's midfielder Joshua Kimmich and Germany's defender Jonas Hector warm up prior to the Euro 2016 group C football match between Northern Ireland and Germany at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on June 21, 2016. / AFP / MARTIN BUREAU (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images)
(L-R) Germany's midfielder Toni Kroos, Germany's defender Mats Hummels, Germany's midfielder Thomas Mueller, Germany's midfielder Joshua Kimmich and Germany's defender Jonas Hector warm up prior to the Euro 2016 group C football match between Northern Ireland and Germany at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris on June 21, 2016. / AFP / MARTIN BUREAU (Photo credit should read MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images) /
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While the club may not have as many representatives as in years past, Bayern Munich’s ten international players look to make an impact for their respective nations over the international break.

Robert Lewandowski, Thiago Alcantara, and Mats Hummels are among the many Bayern Munich players set to make appearances for their national teams over the next few weeks. Ahead of a busy schedule in April, it could be a blessing that much of the squad will be staying in Munich, including future retirees Xabi Alonso and Philipp Lahm.

The ones who are travelling, however, will be hoping to have a significant impact on their team’s performances. Below, we examine which Bayern Munich players to look out for over the upcoming weeks.

Die Mannschaft

Mats Hummels, Joshua Kimmich, and weekend goal-scorer Thomas Muller will all three be representing the German national team in the friendly against England in Dortmund on March 22 and the World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan on the 26th.

Germany’s captain, Manuel Neuer, initially received a call-up, but has since been pulled from the squad due to injury.

Expect all three Bayern Munich representatives to be starters for Germany’s matches, as they were all integral to the team’s Euro 2016 campaign–particularly Joshua Kimmich, who was the tournament’s best right back.

La Furia Roja

Midfield maestro Thiago and his defensive compatriot, Javi Martinez, are both set to represent “The Red Fury” in their upcoming matches against Israel and France on March 24th and 28th, respectively.

Thiago is currently in the form of his life and has caught the eye of his former club, FC Barcelona, in recent weeks. The Spanish national team would be beyond foolish in keeping him out of their starting XI, as he is proving week after week that he is among the best midfielders in the world.

Similarly, Javi Martinez has proven to be an outstanding defender for Bayern Munich over the past season. Overtaking a starting position from either Sergio Ramos or Gerard Pique would be a huge accomplishment, but if anyone can do it then Martinez is the man to turn to.

Oranje

Arjen Robben–whose recent temper tantrum after being subbed has everyone laughing–is the sole Bayern Munich representative for the Netherlands national team.

The 33 year-old “Flying Dutchman” will be hoping to lead the his nation to victories over Bulgaria in World Cup qualifying on the 25th and Italy in a friendly on the 28th. Barring injury, Robben is a sure-fire starter for those matches.

The White and Reds

Bayern Munich’s free-scoring striker, Robert Lewandowski, will hope to continue his current run of form as he captains Poland in their single World Cup qualifying match in Montenegro on March 26.

He has already scored seven in Poland’s four qualifying matches and it seems scoring comes as natural to him as walking. Lewandowski should not have much difficulty bagging a few goals against the weak Montenegrin defense, especially if he shows the same technique he has been exhibiting all season long.

La Roja

Another lone Bayern Munich representative for his country, Arturo Vidal will be suiting up for Chile’s World Cup qualifiers against Argentina (March 23) and Venezuela (March 28).

The Chile-Argentina rivalry has grown substantially over recent years (see: Copa America 2016 final highlights) and is shaping up to be an interesting game. Expect Vidal to give 100% of his effort–per usual–as he seems to particularly enjoy playing in the big games.

His importance to country is perhaps even greater than it is for club and it there is no doubt he is one of the first names on the Chilean team sheet.

Das Team

Over the past several years, the Austrian national team has grown increasingly better, reaching the point to where they were considered “dark horses” in Euro 2016. However, all the hype surrounding the team culminated with nothing more than utter disappointment.

David Alaba and co. will surely be looking to put their tournament woes behind them as they host Moldova on March 24 in a World Cup qualifier.

Playing in midfield rather than at left back, Alaba is the Austrian’s most important player and there is no doubt that he’ll make the starting XI.

Next: Ancelotti Not Fazed About Substitution Row

A Seleção

Renato Sanches may not be setting the Bundesliga ablaze as many with lofty expectations had hoped he would, but that is understandable. However, one need not think that far back to remember a time when Sanches was dazzling soccer fans across Europe with his performances for Portugal at Euro 2016.

Those performances helped earn him the 2016 FIFA Golden Boy award and serve as all the evidence needed to prove Sanches’ worth.

While he may not currently be playing for Bayern Munich, look for Renato Sanches to possibly start for Fernando Santos in Portugal’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary on the 25th and friendly against Sweden on the 28th.

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