BEVERLY HILLS, August 21, (THEWILL) – Champions League finalists and Bundesliga champions, Bayern Munich, on Friday rejected the German league’s offer to delay their start to the 2020/21 domestic season insisting that they keep with the routine of hosting the opening game.
Bayern will play against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on Sunday in Lisbon, Portugal.
The German Football League (DFL) had initially tried to postpone Bayern’s start to the new campaign until Monday, September 21 to allow them adequate time to rest and prepare.
However, the DFL stated that Bayern, who won an eighth straight title last season, intend to continue with the tradition, established in 2002, by hosting the opening game.
In view of this, Bayern will clash with Schalke at Munich’s Allianz Arena on Friday, September 18.
“Bayern Munich have stated their wish to contest the season opener in keeping with the tradition and to do so without any additional preparation time,” said a DFL statement.
Originally, the DFL had placed in last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund and fourth-placed Borussia Moenchengladbach to replace Bayern against Schalke in the opening game.
Now Dortmund and Gladbach, who have both qualified for the Champions League, will meet as the top game on Saturday, September 19.
