Oliver Kahn has highlighted the importance of Thomas Müller as a "leading player".

"When he's on the pitch, you can tell that he wants to get the others involved, that he always wants to win - and that's also a very important aspect," said the CEO of FC Bayern Munich at the German Football League's New Year's reception in Offenbach. "Of course he's not getting any younger either. But he'll face up to the competition. With his experience, his manner, his character, his 'will to win' and his mentality, he's important for a team - that stands for me without a doubt."

Müller is aiming for the eleventh championship title in a row with Munich, and he wants to celebrate success in the Champions League and the DFB Cup. Most recently, the 33-year-old also emphasized that he wanted to help shape the restart of the German national team after the World Cup disappointment. "As long as I'm a professional footballer, I'll always be available in the national team if I'm needed," Müller said. "The when, the if and the how - that must of course be decided by the national coach."

After more than two months of the World Cup and winter break, the league opening duel of the 16th matchday on Friday (8.30 p.m. / Sat.1 and DAZN) between leaders FC Bayern (34 points) and third-placed Leipzig (28) can provide information about how a lot of resistance that Munich will get on the way to the eleventh championship title in a row.

"Mission is relatively simple"

"The mission is relatively easy. You always want to win your first game after such a long break. Of course it's a blast, an absolute top game," said Kahn. In the first game after such a long break, nobody really knows how good his condition is. That is always very difficult to say, emphasized Kahn. "But we are optimistic."

Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann looks forward to the duel with his former club at a press conference in Munich on Wednesday. The 35-year-old can once again devote himself to the exciting Munich goalkeeper question and the poker game involving the Swiss Yann Sommer from Borussia Mönchengladbach. After Manuel Neuer's injury, it's unclear who will be number 1 in the second half of the season. "We don't have a big goalkeeping problem," said Kahn, praising Neuer representative Sven Ulreich. "He's a goalkeeper you can absolutely rely on."