Bayern Munich vs AC Milan will be the second match of the Audi Cup 2015, with both teams looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of what will be another gruelling season.
While Bayern will start the Bundesliga season as the heavy favourites to retain their title, the same cannot be said of Milan, who go into the Serie A campaign with plenty to prove.
Sinisa Mihajlovic's men have made some astute signings in the summer already – chief of them being the two strikers Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano -- and it will be interesting to see how this Milan team fare.
For too long already they have been out of contention in Italy, and time is certainly ripe for one of the most successful clubs in Europe to get back to where they believe they belong. A win over Bayern Munich, and then in the final to clinch the Audi Cup might just be the morale-booster needed going into the new season.
"Our goal is to finish inside the top three in Italy, we know it will be difficult, that all the other teams have strengthened their squads but we have also built a strong team, we have signed some important players," Mihajlovic said.
"We have been working together a month and we are at a good point. In China [during the preseason tour], against Inter and Real Madrid, we put in some good performances and I am sure we can do the same here in Munich."
Milan held Real Madrid to a goalless draw in the International Champions Cup, before narrowly going down in a penalty shootout, while they also beat Inter Milan 1-0 in their first game in China.
There is clearly still plenty of work to do to bring a sense of cohesiveness to the squad, and playing against the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Tottenham, who play each other in the first game, will certainly help in that regard.
Bayern will also want to win the preseason tournament they are hosting as they look to get back into their own groove again, after a disappointing loss to Wolfsburg in the German Supercup.
"It is an incredible tournament, the big teams from Europe play in it and it is very important to play against teams of this calibre," Guardiola said. "After the Supercup we now have to prepare as best we can for the German Cup and the league."
Where to Watch Live
Bayern Munich vs Milan is set to begin at 8.45 pm local time (12.15 am IST, 7.45 pm BST, 2.45 pm ET). There is no live coverage on TV of the Audi Cup 2015 in India.
Viewers in the UK and USA can catch the match live on Premier Sports and ESPN 2 respectively, with the live streaming options on Premier Player and Watch ESPN.
Audience in Germany can watch Bayern Munich vs AC Milan Live on ZDF.
