February 2025
BAYERN FAMILY
Maté and barbecues are the norm in Uruguay. Alejandro makes room for the next load of meat, which Vanessa has brought from the kitchen.
the players as if they can hear him on TV,“ says an ever-astonished Vanessa. In the summer, she once dragged him to the optician, as he needed glasses. But his smartphone kept buzzing incessantly, until she grumbled about who was sending such annoying messages. It turned out to be his live updates; Bayern were playing Mainz and the device wouldn‘ t stop vibrating during the 6-1 win. Gastón suddenly couldn‘ t take his eyes off the mobile phone display. But he did end up buying some new glasses. Any pair was fine. With the half-time score at 1-1, there‘ s a poll in the garden: What‘ s so special about FC Bayern? Robert Lewandowski is one of the best strikers in the world, says Jorge. Bayern is the best club in the world, says Facundo. Manuel Neuer is the best goalkeeper in the world, says Maximilian, who himself is the keeper at River Plate Montevideo and of whom Alejandro says:“ He‘ s as good as Neuer! Take him back to Bayern – he‘ ll prove it to you!“ Gastón shows off his tattooed arms: the wedding date here, the names of his grandmothers Olga and Maria there, the Passion of Christ there – and there‘ s still some room here:“ Mia san mia“ will soon be there. A love of Bayern that gets under your skin.
Forget“ garra charrúa”: today, tactics are key
In general, the game of football is deeply rooted in Uruguay‘ s culture. From 1924 to 1930, the national team won five major trophies in just six years: the Copa America and Olympic gold twice each, as well as the first World Cup in 1930, which was held on the banks of the Rio de la Plata back then. When the Uruguayans travelled to Europe for the first time in 1924 to play football at the Olympic Games in Paris, their opponents Sweden sent spies to their training sessions. The South Americans wore their boots on the wrong feet, the session was
I HAVE NO WORDS FOR MÜLLER. HE IMAGINES SPACES
Fan club head Gastón
Mouth-watering: grilled cheese complements the delicious meat.
FC Bayern Magazine 115