By FRANCO PANIZO
If you are hoping to see more of Julian Green in the near future, you will be happy to know Bayern Munich has just raised the odds of that happening.
Bayern Munich recently named Green to their first-team roster ahead of its preseason trip to the United States. The German club is scheduled to take on Chivas de Guadalajara on July 31 at Red Bull Arena and the MLS All-Stars at Providence Park on Aug. 6. Green might be available to play in both matches after Pep Guardiola included the 19-year-old winger in Bayern’s stacked first team.
An injury could prevent Green from suiting up, however. Bayern head coach Pep Guardiola said Tuesday that Green is dealing with a knee injury, but remained hopeful that the youngster will be able to recover in time to partake in the stateside friendlies.
“He will be rested, he will not be in the field for the next 2-3 days, but he is going to travel to the United States,” said Guardiola via a conference call. “I hope he’s going to play as much as possible, but we’re so, so happy that he’s with us because it’s never easy to be in the first squad. He deserves to try to keep going here and play with us.”
Guardiola added he expects Green to stay with Bayern Munich during the upcoming season, but that the club would look into any possible loan deals that could benefit both Bayern and the youngster.
“He’ll stay with us in preseason and I think he’s going to stay, but we have to see how is the market, if one player is back or if one player is coming,” said Guardiola. “I think today he’s going to stay, but we’re going to see the preseason. I know him, I know him, I know he’s training well, he’s a good guy. My first idea is that he is going to stay for the rest of the season.”
Green made a great impression on U.S. Men’s National Team fans earlier this month, coming off the bench in a World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium and scoring a splendid extra time goal that trimmed the Americans’ deficit to one. Unfortunately for the U.S., Green’s first international goal was not enough to save it from a 2-1 loss that eliminated it from the tournament.
Green signed a professional deal late last fall. He made his professional debut in a UEFA Champions League match not long after, but has yet to play in a Bundesliga match.
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What do you think of Green being included in Bayern Munich’s first team ahead of the preseason friendlies? Think we will see him get on the field against the MLS All-Stars? Expecting him to see some time in the Bundesliga this season?
Share your thoughts below.