Carlo Ancelotti's FC Bayern München take on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday. - © © gettyimages / Lennart Preiss
Carlo Ancelotti's FC Bayern München take on Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday. - © © gettyimages / Lennart Preiss

Bundesliga Daily: 19 July

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Bundesliga Daily rounds up all you need to know from Germany's 18 top-flight clubs. On 19 July, Carlo Ancelotti addressed the media ahead of FC Bayern München's friendly with Manchester City FC on Wednesday, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez returned to training with Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Schalke 04's Alessandro Schöpf stated his intentions for the new campaign.

Leverkusen welcome back 'Chicharito'

After helping Mexico to the Copa America Centenario quarter-finals earlier this summer, Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez made his long-awaited return to the training pitches at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Fans were delighted to see their star man again, following a debut Bundesliga season that produced a club-leading 17 goals. The 28-year-old striker has spent the last few weeks enjoying a hard-earned rest - not that he appeared to have much rust on the gears.

Ancelotti to give youngsters chance to shine

Carlo Ancelotti has been speaking to the media ahead of his home debut as FC Bayern München head coach - which just so happens to be against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

"The result is of secondary importance," said the Italian ahead of tomorrow's pre-season friendly at the Allianz Arena. "It’s much more important to me that we put in a good team performance. We have plenty of very talented young players who will have the opportunity to show what they can do tomorrow."

Ancelotti also played down Wednesday’s meeting with his predecessor, adding that he won’t be asking Guardiola for advice on any of his players. "I’ll definitely speak to him tomorrow but it won’t be about my squad. I know my squad very well now," he said.

- © gettyimages / Koepsel

Skjelbred pens new deal

Hertha Berlin midfielder Per Skjelbred has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him in the German capital until summer 2019. The 29-year-old Norway international, whose existing deal was due to run out in 2017, has been at the club since summer 2013. "Our Viking is staying put," tweeted Hertha sporting director Michael Preetz.

Kacar joins Augsburg

FC Augsburg have added another member to their ranks by signing Gojko Kacar on a free deal from Hamburger SV.

Schöpf prepared to fight for place

Despite stiff competition for places, Alessandro Schöpf is targeting a regular starting berth at FC Schalke 04 in his first full season at the club. "I don't know what role my role is going to be," the 22-year-old midfielder said after impressing for Austria at UEFA EURO 2016. "We'll have to see how pre-season goes. I hope I can lock down a place in the starting eleven."

The former FC Bayern München youth player moved to Schalke from 1. FC Nürnberg in January 2016 and went on to register three goals and three assists in 13 Bundesliga appearances during the second half of 2015/16.

- © gettyimages / Martin Rose