No sweeping changes for Bayern, insists Sammer

What you need to know:

  • Sammer refuted recent claims by the Bayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbaur that fresh blood was needed in an ageing side.
  • Senior players Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Xavi Alonso and Philipp Lahm are all over 30.

BERLIN,

Bayern Munich's sports director Matthias Sammer insisted Friday his side is not past its peak and that there is no need for sweeping changes.

Speaking with Sky Sport News, Sammer refuted recent claims by the Bayern Munich honorary president Franz Beckenbaur that fresh blood was needed in an ageing side.

Senior players Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Xavi Alonso and Philipp Lahm are all over 30.

"I hear people say the team is past it's peak, but this is a super team," Sammer said of Bayern, who won the Bundesliga but were knocked out of the Champions League in the semi-finals by Barcelona.

"We are aware of the age pyramid at the club and there is no reason to shake up the team," he said.

Sammer said new faces would be brought in but with great care, and named Manchester United's Angel di Maria as a marvellous player and Frenchman Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid as a super player.