Daily Schmankerl: Bayern’s DFB Pokal draw; Lahm scoops ice cream; and MORE!

Bayern draws SV Drochtersen/Assel in the DFB Pokal opening round (Kicker)

Bayern Munich’s disappointing loss to Eintracht Frankfurt in the DFB Pokal finale can now be used as motivation on THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION!

Niedersachsen Cup winner SV Drochtersen/Assel has drawn the biggest straw in the truest sense of the word: the regional league team will face record Bundesliga champions and record DFB Pokal winner Bayern Munich in the first round of the DFB Pokal.

SV Drochtersen/Assel is a fourth-division side that were almost relegated in the Regionalliga Nord after a 12th place finish. The first round will take take place on August 17th to 20th.

If Niko Kovac really wants to rally the troops in an effort to have them ready and properly motivated. He should fire this classic up in the locker room!

You needed Joe Esposito this Saturday to get YOU properly motivated. Admit it.

Lahm’s ice cream scooping skills were put to the test (@philipplahm)

The ice cream man where I grew up reeked of unfiltered Camels and stale Natural Light. Just sayin’...

Ice cream for everyone — a great promotion for #EURO2024 that was a lot of fun #UnitedByFootball

Just two dudes who may not be in Munich next season sharing a nice moment (@kingarturo23)

Robert Lewandowski and Arturo Vidal are two excellent players, who are both rumored to be on their way out of Munich. Their respective countries met for a friendly yesterday (2-2 tie) and they got a chance for a quick embrace. Vidal definitely felt the love:

Good luck, brother @_ Rl9 in the World Cup! I love you, brother!! ❤❤ face to face is how men look at one another! you’re an ace!

Oh, you wanted video of the meeting? Well, here you go. The key moment is when Lewandowski goes to give Vidal’s head a little rub. The reaction is vintage Vidal.

Mario Götze had difficulty adjusting to Pep Guardiola after his time with Jürgen Klopp (Goal)

Mario Götze had a difficult time adjusting to Bayern Munich and in particular, Pep Guardiola. Götze still respected Guardiola even if it didn’t ultimately lead to much success individually in Munich, as the 2014 World Cup winner detailed in the DAZN documentary ‘Being Mario Götze’ (as captured by Goal).

Pep Guardiola was technically one of the best coaches, a tremendous enrichment. But I had the feeling that he thinks only in the grid and leaves out the people and interaction. He did not show much empathy. It was not easy for me, just because I came from Kloppo, who was like a footballing father. Pep was completely different. A world-class coach needs empathy; every athlete is also human and you should combine both.

Götze’s health issues and ongoing battles with injury have prevented him from reaching the lofty potential that he once had. It remains to be seen if he can conjure up any of the magic he displayed earlier in his career. I have often thought that it might be best for Götze to move on from Borussia Dortmund to take on a leading role elsewhere in an effort to rebuild his career.

Well, lo and behold, The Mirror is reporting that a reunion between Götze and Klopp could be in the works if hints dropped within ‘Being Mario Götze’ are to be believed; in particular this quote below. It’s not quite the situation that I thought might work for best for Götze, but a reunion with a nurturing force like Klopp is with Liverpool, might be just what the doctor ordered so to speak.

I decided to leave Bayern and Jurgen Klopp was interested in getting me to Liverpool. And I was also interested in working with him again. It’s still existing. He is a world-class coach and that’s why it’s always an option. I decided to join Borussia Dortmund, but it was not a decision against Liverpool or Jurgen Klopp, but on the contrary.