When Sydney FC were called up at the last minute to play a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in China, most of their players were rubbing their hands together at the prospect of facing some of their idols. For the Sky Blues' playmaker Alex Baumjohann, he was simply relishing the chance to catch up with an old friend.
Next week's match in Shenzhen is a rare chance for A-League players to share the field with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani, Marco Verratti and Neymar – all of whom were named in the touring party for PSG. Such is the pedigree of Sydney's German midfielder, however, that all he has been thinking about was reuniting with his former Schalke understudy, Julian Draxler.
Baumjohann spent two seasons playing with Draxler at Schalke between 2010-12 as the would-be German international began to break into the Bundesliga side as a teenager.
Pride in the jersey: Alex Baumjohann models Sydney FC's new charcoal strip.Credit:Dominic Lorimer
Baumjohann spent much of his time at Schalke deployed on the wing, a position that would eventually be assumed by the prodigal Draxler before he moved to Wolfsburg and later PSG. Despite parting ways seven years ago, the two players have kept in contact since and Draxler was the first person Baumjohann contacted when he learnt he would be facing PSG.
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"When they told me we were going to China to play Paris, that was the first thing I thought about. We always kept in contact and we spoke two weeks before the game and I will be happy to see him," Baumjohann said.
"He was very young, he just came up through the youths but we lived some great moments together at Schalke, we played quarter finals, semi-finals of Champions League. We won the Cup together. Very good guy, great player and I am happy he is playing for a good club like PSG."
Baumjohann was speaking at Sydney FC's kit launch on WednesRead More – Source
When Sydney FC were called up at the last minute to play a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in China, most of their players were rubbing their hands together at the prospect of facing some of their idols. For the Sky Blues' playmaker Alex Baumjohann, he was simply relishing the chance to catch up with an old friend.
Next week's match in Shenzhen is a rare chance for A-League players to share the field with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Edinson Cavani, Marco Verratti and Neymar – all of whom were named in the touring party for PSG. Such is the pedigree of Sydney's German midfielder, however, that all he has been thinking about was reuniting with his former Schalke understudy, Julian Draxler.
Baumjohann spent two seasons playing with Draxler at Schalke between 2010-12 as the would-be German international began to break into the Bundesliga side as a teenager.
Pride in the jersey: Alex Baumjohann models Sydney FC's new charcoal strip.Credit:Dominic Lorimer
Baumjohann spent much of his time at Schalke deployed on the wing, a position that would eventually be assumed by the prodigal Draxler before he moved to Wolfsburg and later PSG. Despite parting ways seven years ago, the two players have kept in contact since and Draxler was the first person Baumjohann contacted when he learnt he would be facing PSG.
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"When they told me we were going to China to play Paris, that was the first thing I thought about. We always kept in contact and we spoke two weeks before the game and I will be happy to see him," Baumjohann said.
"He was very young, he just came up through the youths but we lived some great moments together at Schalke, we played quarter finals, semi-finals of Champions League. We won the Cup together. Very good guy, great player and I am happy he is playing for a good club like PSG."
Baumjohann was speaking at Sydney FC's kit launch on WednesRead More – Source
