I Am Curious To Discover India’s Passion For Football – Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger

The influential midfielder shared his excitement on the upcoming trip to India and asked the fans to turn up in numbers for Bhaichung Bhutia’s testimonial match…

Bayern Munich are set to face the Indian national team in about a week’s time and Bastian Schweinsteiger couldn’t hide his enthusiasm as he eagerly awaits the sojourn in Delhi.

“I am very curious to discover India’s passion for football. I’m quite impressed to know that they were Asian giants in the 1950s and 1960s, but what happened thereafter is a mystery.

“Maybe, if more top clubs can play there in the future, it will boost the popularity of the sport,” the German wrote in his column for the Hindustan Times.

He compared the fans in India to those in Munich and added that there were striking similarities between the two.

“Some of my friends who have been to India have told me that the people are friendly and emotional. That’s sounds so much like football fans we have here at Bayern Munich. I think we are headed for some good time in New Delhi.”

Bhaichung Bhutia shall make a final appearance in the national colours against FC Hollywood in what shall be a testimonial to his services to Indian football.

“What is football without its heroes and thousands of adoring fans backing them till the very end? These are the thoughts that come to my mind as FC Bayern Munich prepares to play in New Delhi for the first time, in Bhaichung Bhutia’s farewell match. We hope fans will give him a packed stadium.”

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Bayern names first team players for Bhaichung Bhutia farewell match

New Delhi: Top German football club Bayern Munich on Wednesday announced a 24-member squad for the Bhaichung Bhutia farewell exhibition match against India XI here on January 10 with all the first team players being named.

German World Cup captain Philip Lahm, who will lead the Bayern side, 20110 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner Thomas Muller, star striker Mario Gomez, midfield general Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinsteiger were among the 24 players named.

All the 24 players named were in the Bayern Munich side playing in the current Bundesliga season.

Meanwhile, Indian football coach Savio Medeira today named a 23-member squad for the exhibition match to be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.



The team, to be led by Bhaichung, will miss the services of striker Sunil Chhetri as he is recovering from an ankle injury.

Defender Mahesh Gawli, who on Monday announced retirement from international football, was not named in the squad, just like his Dempo team-mate Anthony Pereira.

Winger Steven Dias, who was carrying a niggle during the SAFF Championships here earlier this month, was also omitted.

The 23 players have been asked to report for a camp here on January 7.

The Squads:

FC Bayern Munich

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer, Jorg Butt, Maximilian Riedmuller, Rouven Sattelmaier.

Defenders: Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Breno Borges, Diego Contento, Philipp Lahm, Daniel Van Buyten, Marcio Rafael Ferreira de Souza (Rafinha).

Midfielders: Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Takashi Usami, Danijel Pranjic, Luiz Gustavo, David Alaba, Toni Kroos, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk.

Forwards: Mario Gomez, Thomas Muller, Nils Petersen, Ivica Olic.

Coach: Jupp Heynckes.

India XI

Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh, Subhasish Roychowdhury, Felix

Defenders: Jaspal Singh, Sameer Naik, Gouramangi Singh, Govin Singh, Nirmal Chhetri, Syed Rahim Nabi, Adil Khan, Gurjinder Singh

Midfielders: Reisangmi Vashum, Jewel Raja Shaikh, Climax Lawrence, Rakesh Masih, Baldeep Singh, Clifford Miranda, Lalrindika Ralte, Rocus Lamare

Forwards: Jeje Lalpeklua, Bhaichung Bhutia, Sushil Singh, CS Sabeeth.

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