"Ivan Perišić "is an option, maybe from the start," Kovac commented on the press conference. After serving a one-match ban, the Croatian World Cup runner-up is eligible to play. "He's at the same fitness level as our other players because he took up training earlier than Philippe. I'm very glad we have him." Michaël Cuisance too has been training for a while now.
Bayern aim to take the first three points this season after last week's draw against Hertha, where Kovac saw a "good performance, only the result wasn't right." The 47-year-old issued a warning against the Royal Blues under new coach David Wagner: "Schalke are aggressive, they're strong in defence and at turnovers. We must be prepared. It'll be the first home match for their new coach." But Bayern "always want to win," and they have the means to do it: "We have a good squad in terms of both quality and quantity."