The Brazilian duo are currently enjoying a short but well-earned holiday following a gruelling season and summer.
Dante played 50 games for club and country last term, while Gustavo made 44 appearances in all competitions. And when the rest of the Bayern squad were reporting back for pre-season training on June 26, the duo were just hours from a semi-final clash with Uruguay, which Brazil eventually won 2-1.
The duo played their parts in the Seleção’s third consecutive Confederations Cup title, as Dante scored his first international goal in a 4-2 win over Italy during the group stages, while Gustavo started every game for the Seleção.
As a result, new Bayern manager Pep Guardiola has given them both extra time off in order to recuperate with some much needed rest. The former Barcelona boss said “They will come on 17th or 18th July, they need time to recover.”
Whether the break will be blessing or a curse for the pair remains to be seen. It gives other members of the squad more time to impress Guardiola and influence his plans for the upcoming campaign. Gustavo’s place, in particular, is under threat as the recruitment of Javi Martinez from Athletic Bilbao last summer has already saw the 25-year-old spend considerably less time on the pitch and questions have now been raised as to whether he will remain at the Allianz Arena.
When asked about his future, Gustavo told Globo Esporte: “I am under contract. I want to stay but let’s see what happens. I will present myself to the new manager on July 18 and let’s see what his decision will be.
“This title doesn’t make me feel that I am certain to play. It’s always good to be valued, to see your job is being done well. Now, let’s see what will happen. I want to see out my contract. Our team is very good and I feel well in Munich, but let’s see.”
Dante, on the other hand, has enjoyed a truly remarkable first season in the Bavarian capital, helping the club to an historic treble. Bayern won the league and cup, before crowning their season with victory over Borussia Dortmund in the first-ever all-German Champions League final.
The 29-year-old’s exploits in Germany also earned him his first ever Brazil call-up, for a friendly against England at Wembley in February 2013. Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari was impressed enough to note that, “we have a defender for the future,” and next year’s World Cup on home soil is now a real possibility for Dante.
However, history shows that tiredness after the Confederations Cup can take its toll. Luca Toni never got back to his best form upon returning from the 2009 edition in South Africa, playing just four more times for Bayern before moving to AS Roma. And Kevin Kuranyi netted just 10 goals in the 2005-06 season after his participation in Germany 2005, which was his lowest tally of goals in a single season.
While such a drastic fall from grace is not expected, Dante and Gustavo will certainly be up against it when the new season kicks off on August 9. Bayern first have to get through the Audi Cup, where they will face São Paulo and either Manchester City or Milan, a friendly with La Liga champions Barcelona, as well as the small matter of the German Super Cup against rivals Dortmund on July 27.
Spain’s Martinez also played in the Confederations Cup and has been given an extended break, while Bayern have already played three friendlies and are at a training camp in Trentino, Italy, as the new regime under Guardiola takes shape.
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