On 28 July, FC Bayern will travel to 1. FC Düren for a friendly match. The German record champions are thus honouring a promise that dates back to the time of the coronavirus pandemic.
Just a few days before the start of FC Bayern’s Audi Summer Tour in Asia, the German record champions will play their first friendly match outside Bavaria. However, the match will not take place directly in Düren, but at the Karl Knipprath Stadium, which is located in the neighbouring municipality of Jüllich. For the German record champions‘ guest appearance, the sports facility will be equipped with additional stands so that up to 9,000 spectators can attend the match live.
The reason why FCB is making the trip to North Rhine-Westphalia is a promise from the coronavirus era. Back then, in October 2020, Düren, as winners of the Middle Rhine Cup, were drawn to face the reigning Champions League winners in the first round of the DFB Cup. Due to the complicated situation surrounding the pandemic, planning such an event was difficult and the joy was curbed.
As a result, Düren gave up the right to play at home, meaning the match had to take place in the Allianz Arena, albeit without spectators. The match ended in a 3:0 victory for Bayern. Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored twice and Thomas Müller converted a penalty.
Dreesen: „Happy that we can fulfil our promise“
Jan-Christian Dreesen, CEO of FC Bayern, said of the planned test match: „We are happy that we can now fulfil our promise from the coronavirus era.“
FC Düren was deprived of a unique experience back then, which they now want to make up for for the fans from the region.
„We want to be close and tangible as FC Bayern – we’re looking forward to our guest appearance against Düren,“ concluded the 56-year-old.
