Daily Schmankerl: Thomas Müller is ready for France; Lionel Messi speaks on Arturo Vidal; and MORE!

Thomas Müller is eager to show Russia was an anomaly (@DFB_Team_EN)

No player may represent Germany’s global standard of excellence better than Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller. Unfortunately for Müller, with that association, comes a great responsibility of taking ownership for the “The World Cup Debacle of 2018.”

While Müller was just one of a cast of underachievers, the “Raumdeuter” took a big chunk of the criticism and outrage that was flung Germany’s way. Now, with an immediate chance to take on reigning World Cup winner, France, Müller recognizes the opportunity that Die Mannschaft has to start to pave the road to redemption. With this quote captured in the tweet below, Müller knows this tilt against Les Bleus is more than just a game.

Lionel Messi speaks on why FC Barcelona pursued Arturo Vidal (Daily Star)

Lionel Messi would never complain about adding more talent to surround him, so when Barca made its move for former Bayern man Arturo Vidal, Messi instantly saw the value of adding the Chilean.

Barca fans always want players with good feet. We defend with the ball. Players like Arturo Vidal are necessary. He’s the type of player who does everything well, with the ball and also with the muscle that he has. Games are getting more complicated and difficult, physique is important and we are always the smallest.

Vidal assuredly brings a physical presence, albeit not much size, to Barca. Regardless, the presence of the intense midfielder should bode well for Barcelona as it prepares for future match-ups against the likes of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid in La Liga and also later down the road in the Champions League.

Christian Fruchtl gets U19 call-up for Germany (FCBayern.com)

Bayern’s potential goalkeeper of the future, Christian Fruchtl, has joined the German U19 team for the international break. The young Germans will play Switzerland on September 7th and Slovakia on September 10th.

Bayern’s Ryan Johannson called to Ireland’s U19 squad (Pundit Arena)

Ryan Johannson, who was part of Bayern’s Audi Summer Tour for the International Champions Cup, has received the call-up to Ireland’s U19 team.

One of the top Irish prospects, Ryan Johansson, has made a positive move towards his future status as a senior international. Under-19’s manager Tom Mohan has named the Bayern Munich man as part of his 22-man squad who are set to face Wales in a pair of friendlies next week.

As you might recall, Johannson had some options for which country he wanted to play international competitions with; ultimately deciding to go with Ireland. Johansson has a Swedish father, an Irish mother, and was born in Luxembourg.

Just 17, Johansson is currently rostered with Bayern’s U19 team and plays most often in the central midfield, though is sometimes used as a winger or right back.

Ireland will play Wales in back-to-back games on September 9th and 11th.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has Spiderman meme moment (@hitRECordJoe)

Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt got wind of the @FCBayernUS tweet featuring his picture alongside Bayern coach Niko Kovač:

Clearly, there is a slight similarity.

ICYMI: Our Computer Generated Bundesliga in up and running (BavarianFootballWorks.com)

Our feature on SV Suxdorf is out! If you haven’t caught the other features, give them a look as FC Budz and Wacker 09 are also in the books.

A call for fan groups (BavarianFootballWorks.com)

We are trying something here at the Daily Schmankerl and need YOUR help. If you read my man Tommy Adams’ piece about his experience with the FCBNYC Fan Club (if you haven’t, SHAME ON YOU!), you could see how great the event was. So we want to highlight some of these wonderful groups that are out there globally and this is what we need from you:

• Name of the group
• Location
• Year founded
• Leadership (if you have people are kind of running the show)
• Meeting place
• Social media handles
• Pictures

We have 7 clubs on board so far. I’d LOVE to be able to feature a different fan group every week this season. Maybe we can do it, maybe not...but only YOU can help decide the fate of this idea. Send your info to: barrelsportsblog@gmail.com.