FC Bayern on tour in China
Cologne - FC Bayern München have landed in China as they embark on their Audi Summer Tour 2015.
"A very important trip"
Following a nine-hour flight, the record German titleholders were met by over 1000 delighted supporters chanting "super Bayern, super Bayern" in the arrivals hall of Beijing Capital International Airport on Friday morning. After posing for photographs with their adoring fans, the players and staff headed straight to their team hotel for a well-earned rest.
The 2014/15 champions will be put through their paces in a training session at Beijing National Stadium later today. Head coach Pep Guardiola, captain Philipp Lahm and defender Jerome Boateng will also hold a press conference at the 91,000-capacity arena.
Alongside their obligatory media commitments, the Bundesliga World Tour 2015 participants are due to face Valencia CF, FC Internazional de Milano and Chinese champions FC Guangzhou Evergrande during their sojourn to the Far East, with Bayern due to return to Munich on 24 July.
"In a business sense this trip is very important to the club," explained No1 Manuel Neuer. "In a sporting sense were set to take on three very good teams. It will definitely be tough." It's worth noting, however, that the last time FC Bayern travelled to China they went on to win the treble. Naturally, bundesliga.com will be bringing you all the latest from the reigning Bundesliga champions' tour...
Welcome to Beijing
The Chinese people don't do things by halves. What a welcome!
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Lewa impressed
Translation: "I wasn’t expecting to be greeted up such huge crowds!"
All aboard!
The excitement amongst the FC Bayern ranks as they departed for China on Thursday night was palpable, with a number of superstars taking to social media...