We move to football now, and the latest international break is now over, with the domestic leagues set to begin play this weekend. In Germany, 5-time consecutive domestic league champs Bayern Munich will face Freiburg, and will do so with a new man along the touchline, as Jupp Heynckes returns for a fourth spell with the club. He replaces the fired Carlo Ancelotti, after the team got off to a slow start. So what can we expect from the Bavarians? Our Natalie Carney had a chance to speak to Bayern midfielder Thiago, about the change, what to expect for the rest of the year - and his thoughts on the Chinese Super League.

 

NATALIE CARNEY INGOLSTADT, GERMANY "We're here at the Audio forum in Ingolstadt for the annual handover of Audio vehicles to the players on the Bayern Munich Football team. Today were also gonna get a little bit of insight into the rough beginning the team has had this season."

 

While five time champions Bayern Munich may have out scored Anderlecht 3-0 in the Champions League season opener, many said the Germans were unconvincing. That would prove true two weeks later when they lost to Paris Saint Germain 3-0, after which the team's coach of just one year Carlo Ancelotti was sacked. Bayern have also endured a difficult start to the Bundesliga season, losing at Hoffenheim in their third match and being held to a 2-2 draw to both Wolfsburg and Hertha. I started out by asking Thiago Alcantara who'se been with the club since 2013 about the team's moral following this difficult start.

 

THIAGO BAYERN MUNICH MIDFIELDER "I think no one was expecting that at the beginning but we are FC Bayern and we have to come back from this no good situation. I think we are now increasing the training, the speed of the game…so it'll be changed for sure."

 

72-year-old's Jupp Heynckes, who was called in to replace Ancelotti re-joins the team for the fourth time and will take charge of Saturday's home clash with Freiburg.

 

THIAGO BAYERN MUNICH MIDFIELDER "He knows the group very well because he trained here four years ago so. I think he has a big experience in football not just here with Bayern but with other teams and it's a pleasure to work with a trainer that has such experience."

 

As for your old coach, Carlo Ancelotti was linked to a managerial role in the Chinese Super League, do you think that could be a viable landing spot for him?

 

THIAGO BAYERN MUNICH MIDFIELDER "I think the future of each person belongs to each person. So I will respect and I will be pleasure with all the decisions he makes in life."

 

What do you think about all the signings in the Chinese super league? The lavish spending on salaries, Bayern Munich has just set up a soccer academy in China. Do you think this is all playing well for the growth of Chinese player in the Bundesliga and even internationally in the future?

 

THIAGO BAYERN MUNICH MIDFIELDER "Yes for sure. Big clubs are having big relationship with China, with the Chinese football. There are a lot of partners. Brazilian players play there and from the Bundesliga as well so maybe it will increase in a couple of years."

 

In the meantime, Bayern Munich is looking for another championship win despite most of the team bing on international duty preparing for next year's FIFA world cup to be held in Russia. Stand in coach Jupp Heynckes has said he has no plans of continuing after this session, leaving Thomas Tuchel, who is also being tempted by the Premier league and Julian Nagelsmann currently coaching Hoffenheim in the frame to take over as the club's coach next season.

 

THIAGO BAYERN MUNICH MIDFIELDER "This is Thiago Alcantara here from Inglostadt and I say "hello" to my Chinese fans.

 

Natalie Carney CGTN in Ingolstadt, Germany