The Audi Cup is well on the way to becoming a classic event in the pre-season calendar of the world’s best clubs: on July 31 and August 1, FC Bayern München, Manchester City FC, AC Milan and São Paulo FC will meet for the third Audi Cup at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
When the Audi Cup was first staged in 2009, a capacity crowd at the Allianz Arena witnessed a thrilling climax as Bayern clinched the title by beating Manchester United 7-6 on penalties in the final. In 2011, the title went to Barcelona, 2-0 winners over FC Bayern München.
So the Bavarians are understandably keen to get their hands on the trophy. Matthias Sammer, Executive board member FC Bayern München AG: „AC Milan, Manchester City FC, FC São Paulo: Those are opponents that you can only dream of having during the preparation. And Pep Guardiola can see exactly where his team stands when the Bundesliga starts up again, just a week later on 9 August.
One of England’s most traditional football clubs, in the shape of Manchester City, is coming to take part in this “meeting of the world’s elite” in Munich. “City”, as the club is known for short by its fans, is well on the way to getting back among Europe’s elite with stars such as Carlos Tévez, Edin Dzeko, Yaya Touré and England keeper Joe Hart. The highlights in recent seasons have included the FA Cup win in 2011 and the last-minute title clincher in 2012.
AC Milan, too, has an impressive collection of titles: seven-time winners of the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, four-time winners of the Club World Cup, five-time UEFA Cup winners and 18 Serie A titles to their credit. With regular starter and midfield dynamo Kevin-Prince Boateng as well as the Italian internationals Mario Balotelli and Stephan El Shaarawy, AC Milan has the potential to add to this collection.
Completing the line-up of world-class international teams is São Paulo FC. 21-time winners of the prestige-laden State Championship, six Brazilian Championship titles, three-time winners of the Copa Libertadores (South America’s equivalent to the Champions League), three Club World Championship wins and 2013 winners of the Copa Sudamericana is the Brazilian club’s roll of honour – enough to make São Paulo FC one of the most successful football clubs in the world. Alongside midfield star and Brazilian international Paulo Henrique Chagas de Lima, in footballing circles better known as “Ganso”, fans of Bayern München in particular will look forward to renewing acquaintance with Lúcio.
The sporting event is once again being hosted by FC Bayern München. The Bundesliga record-holders and Champions League finalists, fresh from adding their latest league title, have again set themselves ambitious targets for the 2013/2014 season under new head coach Pep Guardiola, and aim to send out a strong message in securing a first international title of the season.