Arsenal host Braga in their opening Champions League group game – see all the best betting here.
Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge says FIFA are responsible for his side’s poor start to the season.
Bayern have won only one of their first three Bundesliga matches and were held to a 0-0 draw by Werder Bremen at the weeken.
Rummenigge says it is inevitable that his club is struggling, given the pressures and strains on their players, and he says football’s world governing body are to blame.
“It is no wonder that we have not found our rhythm yet,” he told Bild.
“From the 14 players who (coach) Louis van Gaal fielded, 12 of them have spent the last fortnight with their national teams. We will not accept this anymore in future. It is pure cheek on the part of FIFA. I appeal to FIFA to show more respect and solidarity with coaches.”
As a result of the performances of Germany and Holland at the World Cup, Bayern had 13 players involved in the World Cup until the final weekend.
“It is neither good for the clubs nor for the players that the league starts so soon after the World Cup and then we are straight back with our national teams,” said Bayern captain Mark van Bommel. “We have got to talk about this.”
Bayern will now play a total of six games in 17 days, and then the players will head off on international duty once again.
Arsenal host Braga in their opening Champions League group game – see all the best betting here.
