Day 43 of pre-season: live updates
Cologne - There are now just two days to go until the new season kicks off with an encounter between FC Bayern München and Hamburger SV that promises to produce fireworks.
bundesliga.com keeps you abreast of all the training ground news ahead of the weekend's action...
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Bis morgen!
That is it for another day - number 43 - of our pre-season updates. There are only two more days to go before we can drop the 'pre' and just talk about the 'season', so bis morgen - see you tomorrow!
More ways to follow Alaba
The Bayern defender has launched his own YouTube channel, so you can see even more of the Austrian ace.
Bring it on
Battle of the Borussias
One of the stand-out fixtures on this opening weekend of Bundesliga action is the battle of the Borussias, and Dortmund may feel they have a slight edge going into that game, at least statistically speaking.
This Tweet explains how Dortmund have not come back from 1-0 behind to beat anybody more times than they have done against Gladbach.
Final friendly
VfL Wolfsburg prepared for their opening Bundesliga fixture against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday by playing a final friendly match of the summer against Magdeburg. It was an opportunity for coach Dieter Hecking to get a closer look at summer recruit Carlos Ascues. The Wolves lost the game 4-3, with the following team used:
Grün – Jung, Knoche, Ascues, Schäfer – Träsch (62. Seguin), Gustavo (77. Conde) – Caliguiri (62. Stolze), Hunt (77. Donkor), Rodriguez – Bendtner (71. Putaro)
Four days to Super Sunday
Illustrious guest
Werder Bremen had one of their former players watching over them on Wednesday afternoon.
Drive-ersion
The Schalke players had a bit of a diversion from their usual training on Wednesday. Will they have their foot down when they arrive in Bremen on Saturday?
The goal man
How many goals will the guy on the left be setting up for the one on the right this season? And vice-versa?
Wise words...
...from Schalke's summer signing, who could be in line for his debut this weekend in Bremen.
Injury blow for Gladbach
Record-breaker
As if Philipp Lahm did not already have enough titles and records, he is after another one (or more) this season.
Four to go
At their current rate of two training sessions per day, this means Werder Bremen have just four more to go before hosting Schalke on Saturday.
Eagles in close quarters
Eintracht Frankfurt are using little more than the 18-yard box for practice this morning.
Translation: Match play in a tight space.
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!
Happy Birthday to FC Augsburg's Jeong-Ho Hong, who turns 26 today.
Benaglio steps up recovery
VfL Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio, who will remain club captain in 2015/16, is up and running again following a back problem. The Swiss international has missed the Wolves' last two assignments in the Supercup and DFB Cup.
Legends Tour
Retired goalkeeping great Jens Lehmann is in New York as part of the Bundesliga Legends Tour 2015.
Schalke's birthday boy
32 and still as fresh as a daisy. Happy Birthday, Klaas-Jan!
Summer sun
The sun's still shining in Munich as the FC Bayern players continue their preparations for Friday's big one against Hamburger SV.
All present and correct
SV Werder Bremen head coach Viktor Skripnik at last has all his players at his disposal.
Royal-Blue smile
Johannes Geis could make his Bundesliga debut in Schalke colours against Bremen this weekend.
Competition time!
Fancy winning yourself an official Bundesliga match ball? Then get involved!