Darmstadt's Bundesliga return is getting ever closer, and here they are working hard in training - © © gettyimages
Darmstadt's Bundesliga return is getting ever closer, and here they are working hard in training - © © gettyimages

2015/16: Day 36 of pre-season

xwhatsappmailcopy-link

Cologne – The first round of the DFB Cup is on the horizon and, after that, there will be just a week before the new Bundesliga season starts.

As ever, bundesliga.com is here to guide you through the 18 Bundesliga sides' preparations for the new season, which are now into day 36. Remain here for live updates from around the training fields.

That's a wrap

So FC Bayern München restore a measure of pride following defeat to VfL Wolfsburg in the Supercup with victory over Real Madrid CF in the Audi Cup. The Bundesliga champions are in action again in the first round of the DFB Cup on Sunday, but there's plenty more competitive action to sink your teeth into before then, starting with Borussia Dortmund in UEFA Europa League qualifying on Thursday night. Join us again tomorrow for all the build-up to that one and, of course, all the news from around the training grounds. In the meantime, here's some reaction to Bayern's latest triumph...

Translation: First party. Much more of that to come. What a team!

Bayern win Audi Cup

Robert Lewandowski scored the only goal of the game late on to give FC Bayern a 1-0 win over Real Madrid CF at a sold-out Allianz Arena.

Simple equation

Borussia Dortmund know they will progress to the UEFA Europa League play-offs if they can avoid defeat against Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsberger AC tomorrow.

Champions League atmosphere

FC Bayern will be expected to go far in Europe in the coming season, but tonight it's all about the Audi Cup.

Full house

The Allianz Arena is packed to the rafters as the FC Bayern players head out onto the pitch for their customary pre-match warm-up.

Vidal starts!

FC Bayern München head coach Pep Guardiola names a strong side for tonight's Audi Cup final against Real Madrid CF, including new boys Douglas Costa and Arturo Vidal.

All-action Lillies

Variety is the spice of life for promoted side SV Darmstadt 98.

Translation: On one side the ball's rolling in a game of 6-on-2, on the other the big lads are practising corners.

Clean and tidy in the capital

No divas in the Hertha Berlin camp...

Translation: Tidying up before home time. We'll see you tomorrow!

Never say Die!

Check out VfB Stuttgart midfielder Serey Die's footvolley skills! It's exactly that level of commitment that helped preserve die Schwaben's top-flight status last term.

Translation: Total commitment!

HSV's precautionary measures

Hamburger SV duo Nicolai Müller and Batuhan Altintas had to break off training earlier today because of muscular problems, reports the club's official Twitter account. It was only a precaution, mind. The Red Shorts will train again tomorrow afternoon.

Calling all Bremen fans

SV Werder Bremen newcomer Aron Johannsson has recorded a special message for the Green-Whites faithful...

Augsburg chomping at the bit

FC Augsburg cannot wait for their DFB Cup first-round clash against regional outfit SV 07 Elversberg this weekend.

Translation: Two more sleeps, then it's finally under way again. Huge sense of anticipation.

Special guests

Former Bundesliga players Stefan Effenberg and Torben Hoffmann turned up to watch Bayer 04 Leverkusen in training earlier. Both work for Sky Sports HD these days.

Translation: Surprise visit, Stefan Effenberg and our former player [Torben Hoffmann] check out the Werkself.

Introducing...

... Aron Johannsson - a like-for-like replacement for Franco Di Santo at SV Werder Bremen. He's a 12-time US international, who also represented Iceland at Under-21 level.

Cup preparation

Two training sessions today for Borussia Mönchengladbach ahead of their DFB Cup first round tie against Bundesliga 2 side FC St. Pauli.

Dortmund make UEFA top ten

Borussia Dortmund have moved into the top ten of the UEFA club coefficient rankings for the first time in 15 years. According to uefa.com, "The club coefficient rankings are based on the results of clubs competing in the five previous seasons of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League."

Lahm targets Audi Cup win

Unsurprisingly, FC Bayern captain Philipp Lahm is chasing victory in tonight's Audi Cup final at home to Real Madrid CF.

Up for the cup

Remember, this weekend sees the first round of the DFB Cup and plenty of banana skins to be avoided, including one for TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

New Recruit

Werder Bremen have announced the signing of Aron Johansson from AZ Alkmaar.

Relief for FC Bayern

Turns out Nigel de Jong’s tackle on Joshua Kimmich won’t have any long-term consequences for the youngster. Phew!

Time flies by

It seemed like only yesterday that FC Bayern were playing in the Olympiastadion, now they’re celebrating a decade at their new fortress.

Giving back to the fans

What better way to come down from an intense training session than by meeting and greeting with the fans.

Stuttgart down two stars

“Daniel Ginczek is sitting out today after suffering a knock on his ankle, as is Martin Harnik with a cold.”

What a strike

It’s great to see Andre Hahn back in action, even better to see him smashing this effort into the top corner.

Keep the ball moving

Eintracht Frankfurt are working on their short passing game as they are put through their paces by head coach Armin Veh.

Working up a sweat in Sinsheim

TSG 1899 Hoffenheim are hard at work as they prepare for the DFB Cup 1st Round tie with 1860 Munich.

Loss of a key player

“Our holding midfielder Almog Cohen will be out for the foreseeable due to tonsillitis. Get well soon, Almog!”

One-on-one

Genki Haraguchi is trying to get the better of birthday boy Salomon Kalou in a "private duel on the sidelines". Probably best to let the now 30-year-old win that one!

Full speed ahead

You're 'it'!

Nothing like a good old game of tig to keep the spirits high...

Three returnees for Werder

Up close and personal

This fan was probably hoping to see his heroes just yards away, only they appear to be training near the woods. Hopefully he will see them a little closer soon...

Defence first

As former Stuttgart coach Huub Stevens often said, keeping a clean sheet is the priority. That seems to have rubbed off on the Swabians, who have started their training session today with an emphasis on the defence.

Translation: "Good morning from the training field. Today we are in two groups again, with the defence starting."

Hop, skip and jump

Translation: A focus on athletic training this morning

Wolf back

Best way to celebrate?

With the Audi Cup, of course!

Big Bayern impact

FC Bayern impressed again in their first appointment of the Audi Cup on Tuesday night, disposing of Italian side AC Milan 3-0 without even a flutter at the Allianz Arena. That has set up quite a prospect for the final tonight:

Training plans

Here are just some of the Bundesliga clubs' plans for training today:

Both Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim also announcing that they will be training at 10:00 CEST

Not to be missed

Our interview with Marco Reus ahead of the new season...