Bayern Munich international break roundup — October 2017
Several Bayern Munich played key roles in their nation’s World Cup qualifiers. Who booked a trip to Russia and who is staying home next summer?
Die Mannschaft
Fittingly, Bayern Munich had more members representing the German national team than any other club. Similarly, die Mannschaft boasts more Bayern players than any other national team. Joshua Kimmich, Sebastian Rudy, Jerome Boateng, Mats Hummels, Niklas Sule and captain Thomas Muller all featured in their nation’s squad over this international break.
The Germans played two simple matches, first sweeping aside Northern Ireland, then Azerbaijan. Only Niklas Sule failed to start the first, while Thomas Muller and the all-important Joshua Kimmich were the only two Bayern stars to feature in both matches. They were also two of the three Germans to don the captain’s armband, Kimmich taking over from Muller when the latter was subbed off against Azerbaijan (Hummels received the armband after Muller’s substitution in the previous match).
Playing every minute of Germany’s last 22 matches, Joshua Kimmich has become as vital to the success of his country as his club. He finished World Cup qualifiers with the most assists and second-most completed passes Europe.
The only other Bayern-related highlight of Germany’s record-breaking qualifying campaign was Sebastian Rudy’s wonder-goal against Norther Ireland. Bayern’s new midfield general has been excellent so far this season and certainly has a case to not only make Germany’s 23-man squad, but to be in Joachim Low’s starting XI.
We’ll have to wait and see how he continues this season. With Neuer in goal (hopefully); Hummels, Boateng and Kimmich in defense (add Sule from the bench); Thomas Muller roaming somewhere in the attacking third; and Sebastian Rudy in midfield, Bayern Munich should be well-represented with die Mannschaft next summer in Russia.
La Furia Roja
Of the few Spaniards in Bayern’s ranks, only Thiago Alcantara represented Bayern Munich with his national team. The midfield maestro gave an excellent display in Spain’s 3-0 defeat over Albania, scoring one of the three goals and generally bossing the midfield.
He picked up a slight knock that kept him out of la Furia Roja’s qualifier against Israel. However, he should be fit for this weekend’s clash against Freiburg should Jupp Heynckes choose to start him. If Thiago continues in his current run of form throughout the rest of this season, there’s no doubting he’ll play a huge role in Spain’s 2018 World Cup campaign.
La Roja
The lone Bayern representative for Chile, Arturo Vidal will surely be disappointed in how his team performed over the past week. He initially helped his team to a 2-1 victory over Ecuador. Sadly though, he picked up a yellow card and did not participate in his country’s following match against Brazil.
La Roja went on to lose 3-0 and consequently will not be participating in the 2018 World Cup. All these things in mind, Arturo Vidal announced his retirement from international soccer. Never again will he represent Chile on the international stage.
Las Cafeteros
Another South American nation, Colombia established their place among those going to Russia with some less than convincing performances. Despite a loss to Paraguay and boring draw with Peru, James Rodriguez and co. finished fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying.
Bayern’s newly added attacking midfielder gave decent enough displays in both matches, scoring the opener in yesterday’s draw with Peru. It will be interesting to see how his season develops at Bayern Munich with Jupp Heynckes taking over. The German manager, however, has assured James that he has his new manager’s full support.
Les Bleus
Both of Bayern’s young French talents were called up to their national side for this round of games. Not only did Kingsley Coman and Corentin Tolisso receive call-ups though; they also started both matches.
France struggled to convince in their wins over Bulgaria and Belarus, but they got the results they needed to send themselves through to Russia. How much both Tolisso and Coman feature next summer will largely be down to their success at Bayern Munich this season. But they both (especially the former) play well when called upon to represent their nation.
The Oranje
Much like his teammate Arturo Vidal, Arjen Robben will be sorely disappointed with how his team failed to reach World Cup qualification. Also like Vidal, Robben announced his retirement from international soccer following the Netherland’s disappointing exit.
The Dutch played well in their two matches, but their past failures came back to haunt them. Robben can hold his head up high though, as he was clearly the outstanding performer for his nation across their two matches.
Next: Former Bayern Munich director backs Jupp Heynckes
The White and Reds
Finally we reach one of the major highlights of this past week. Thanks to a hat-trick against Armenia and a single goal against Montenegro, Robert Lewandowski wrote his name in the history books. His 16 goals are the most ever scored by a European in a single World Cup qualifying campaign. How the Pole has led his nation through World Cup qualifiers has been outstanding. Any who doubt Lewandowski is the best striker on the planet need simply watch the way in which he leads his national team with pride, passion and deadly goal-scoring efficiency.