As an outsider, Darmstadt is one of the first teams to start preparing. Photo: Arne Dedert
(Photo: dpa)
Borussia Mönchengladbach are also among the early starters Only three weeks later do the late starters start preparing for the season starting on August 26th. A week before that, the first round of the DFB Cup is already on the agenda.
The early starters also include Borussia Mönchengladbach (June 27) and Hertha BSC (end of June), both of whom have started earlier in their competitive matches because of the international qualifiers. Hamburger SV (June 27) and Mainz 05 (June 29) will also start training next month. However, there may be slight timing changes for clubs that currently do not have a new coach. Most clubs have initially scheduled sports medical examinations before they go to the training ground.
With the exception of Munich, Leverkusen and Leipzig, all of which only start on July 11, all teams will start their preparations during the European Championship – some with a significantly reduced squad. In addition, there is the problem of relegation for the Olympic Games. The football tournament in Brazil from August 4th to 20th falls just before the first competitive games of the season.
FC Schalke 04 is going on a big tour of China on July 2nd and will probably also play the first training sessions and two friendlies in the metropolis of Guangzhou. “China plays a central role for us. We want to get as many fans as possible excited about Schalke 04 with targeted measures in preparation for the trip and during our stay and to become interesting for other partners,” explained Marketing Director Alexander Jobst. Regional rivals Borussia Dortmund are also visiting China and are playing friendlies against Manchester City and Manchester United.
After the introduction of the new coach Carlo Ancelotti, the highlight of FC Bayern Munich’s pre-season preparations is the trip to the USA from July 25 to August 4 with games against AC Milan, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
