Bundesliga
Having seen the Bundesliga title fall from their grasp for the first time since 2012 last season, Bayern Munich mean business as they start their preparations for 2024/25 under new coach Vincent Kompany.
Kompany replaced Thomas Tuchel as head coach in the off-season and has been active off the pitch with the signings of Hiroki Ito, João Palhinha and Michael Olise.
The Belgian tactician has also been prepping pre-season plans alongside his coaching staff and now finally gets the chance to get to work on the pitch, something he has been gearing up for all summer.
Kompany told the club's official website: "It was nice to have a little bit of time off but, to be honest, I've been very active behind the scenes, and I'm looking forward to starting the season with this team, with this club, and making sure that day one is perfect and everything is well in pre-season."
Some players returned early to training this week before Kompany put the squad through their paces on the official day one of the new campaign.
That involved undertaking various diagnostic tests before the squad got a first feel of life under their new coach.
"The players were still on holiday, but they decided to come back earlier themselves. That's great, of course," Kompany explained. "It was more about observing a bit and getting a feeling for the lads, talking to one another."
After the disappointment of seeing Bayer Leverkusen end their grip on the title last term, Bayern start the season in the rare role of title-chasers, not title-holders.
The demand for success will be even higher as a result, and Kompany's expectations are no different.
"It's crucial that, from the very beginning, you feel it is a new season and that the mentality is there immediately," said the 38-year-old.
"Of course, it is a preparation period; you are not yet fit, you still have to learn some things. But, mentally, you have to be fit from the start.
"At the moment, we simply have to focus on getting back to the top. The squad must have 100 percent focus and intensity in order to be successful again now."
Bayern's first pre-season friendly encounter comes on 24 July against local outfit Rottach-Egern, with two matches against Harry Kane's former side Tottenham Hotspur planned on 3 August in Seoul and 10 August in London.
Kompany's competitive debut will come in the DFB Cup first round against Ulm (16 August), before Bayern open their bid to reclaim the Bundesliga crown at Wolfsburg the following weekend.