(From left) Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Jupp Heynckes, Hasan Salihamidzic and Uli Hoeness pose for pictures during a Bayern Munich press conference at the Alianz Arena on Monday in Munich, Germany. Photo: VCG

The unique circumstances of the 2022-23 season are leaving the leading European clubs in the dark, says Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

"None of the leading clubs employing several internationals can predict in what shape they come back and how their energy levels will be after a stressful 2022 World Cup in Qatar," the 45-year-old told Xinhua.

Ahead of a UEFA Champions League group encounter against Barcelona and their former striker Robert Lewandowski, Salihamidzic spoke about "the feeling of two seasons we face within a year" and "no one can count on any experience on that."

Salihamidzic mentioned Bayern's remaining goal to play a successful Champions League campaign after increasing the size of their squad to be prepared for all possibilities.

The Bayern official called the duel against the Spanish team an opportunity to create a turnaround, as the side has lost ground in the Bundesliga after three disappointing draws.

The Bayern manager said his side is well prepared to welcome their former striker as "our players know about his skills very well after over eight years of games and training sessions."

No one at Bayern is afraid of Barca and Lewandowski, he added.

He praised the Pole's achievements in Bayern's shirt and asked fans to give him a warm welcome despite his departure in 2022's summer.

"I think supporters have a sensitive feeling for what he did for us over the past years," he added, though many expect Bayern's fans to give their former hero a frosty welcome.

Salihamidzic spoke about the size of the club's investments, such as Matthijs de Ligt and Sadio Mane, as well as promising youngsters such as Mathys Tel, as "a reaction to the COVID-19 crisis, as in the past two years we had our hands tied due to financial losses."

"I think we can say we now have one of the strongest squads in the club's history, if not the strongest one of all," he said.

Positions are double staffed, he added, aside from mentioning additional challenges that come with a well-equipped squad containing a great number of internationals who all expect to play.

To successfully deal with the change of staff, including the farewell of Lewandowski, requires patience, he said.

In his respect, that includes coach Julian Nagelsmann, who has never led a squad of this quality.

"He will have to find his way of getting along and trying to please everyone at the same time," the official stated.

Xinhua