Warm up with: Klara Bühl  | OneFootball

Dirndls, Champions League and mountain air: in the September edition of members‘ magazine 51, Klara Bühl talks about her first Oktoberfest experiences, the special atmosphere at the new home in Unterhaching and dream opponents in Europe. The Bavarian also reveals where she recharges away from the pitch.

Klara, two big events collide in Munich in September: Oktoberfest and the start of the Champions League. You come from the Black Forest – when did you wear a dirndl for the first time? Klara Bühl: “At home in Münstertal, where I grew up, there’s also a small Oktoberfest – but I didn’t actually wear a dirndl for the first time until 2020, when I signed my contract at Bayern.”

How many dirndls are hanging in your wardrobe now?  “Three. We received two from Bayern and I bought one myself.”

The team’s Wiesn visit is an annual event. Please tell us about a scene from the past few years that has really stuck with you.  “I always find it funny when our new signings are at Oktoberfest for the first time. When the band plays ‘Ein Prosit der Gemütlichkeit’ and the whole tent clinks glasses, they don’t really know what’s going on at first. I always have to laugh. However, they soon know the procedures and loudly sing along.”

The men play against Union Berlin on 18 September, 14 hours before the start of the festival – and then don’t have anymore matches until Oktoberfest is over. You have five games in the same 16 days. Who’s got the better deal? (laughs) ”Well, the men have to go to their national teams, while we’re staying in Munich. Of course, football is the priority for us. Nevertheless, I hope to pop over to Oktoberfest at least once or twice.”

Be honest: if you could choose between five matches or 16 days off in September, which would you choose?  “I’d definitely take the matches. We prepare so long for the season and when it finally gets going, I just want to play.”

You played your first game at Sportpark Unterhaching on 9 August, a friendly against Paris FC. How did you find your new home? “Very positive. The stadium is the perfect size for women’s football. For our match against Paris there were 6,000 fans there – and it felt like a lot more. The atmosphere was really nice. I think we can look forward to every match there. Haching can really become a home for us.”

The draw for the Champions League takes place on 4 September in Nyon. If you could wish for one opponent, who would it be?  “I’d find Manchester City or Real Madrid very exciting. City have Sydney Lohmann, who I’m close friends with. And I’ve never played against Real competitively before. They also have an old acquaintance in Sara Däbritz.”

According to the women’s football portal ‘Soccerdonna’, you’re one of the most valuable players in the world with a market value of €1.65 million. Who was the first to tell you about that and what did the message say? “I actually saw it myself first on Instagram. The first to then message me was Sydney Lohmann. She forwarded me the article and wrote something like: Wow, awesome! I was obviously surprised myself, I never really expected that. The ranking is an expression of great appreciation, and at the same time I’m aware of what’s behind it.”

On 5 October, Oktoberfest will be over, the tents will come down and you’ll have just played five matches. What do you do on that Monday? “If I don’t have to leave for international duty yet, I can imagine driving to the mountains and maybe diving into a lake there. I can always properly recharge in the mountains. During the summer break, I was in the Dolomites, up on Piz Boè at an altitude of over 3,000 meters. And if the weather isn't cooperating, I just pop into a café around the corner. I really like that, too.”

Interview taken from the September edition of the FC Bayern members’ magazine.

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