Dhe most important thing didn’t happen on the main training ground in the wonderful autumn weather in Munich before FC Bayern’s relaxed group finale in the Champions League. Before the Munich soccer pros around leader Joshua Kimmich prepared for the home game against Inter Milan on Tuesday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and on Prime Video) with a relaxed final training session on Monday (9 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Champions League and on Prime Video), national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer broadcast positive signals from a neighboring square.
The 36-year-old completed goalkeeper-specific exercises on Monday morning. Neuer first caught balls, then fended off loose shots from goalkeeper coach Toni Tapalovic – and he even threw himself on the lawn. The injured shoulder did everything that national coach Hansi Flick will be happy about three weeks before the German national team’s first World Cup game in Qatar against Japan.
Especially since Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann announced very positive things after Neuer’s stress test: “It’s looking good. He took everything well, including the impact on his shoulder. I think the nation can go to bed with peace of mind.” It is possible that Neuer will be back in goal next Saturday in Berlin after missing seven competitive games against Hertha BSC, as Nagelsmann did not rule out. Sven Ulreich plays again against Inter.
“The pod is a little bruised”
There will be some changes to the outfield players before that. “We’ll have to rotate a bit because we have a lot of injured and tired players.” And for Bayern, who have already been confirmed as group winners and participants in the round of 16, the Bundesliga has exceptionally priority over the premier class in the exhausting final sprint before the World Cup break. “We still have three extremely important Bundesliga games left,” said Nagelsmann, referring to the games against Hertha, Bremen and Schalke and the attack on league leaders Union Berlin.
Therefore, nothing is risked against Inter in terms of personnel. In addition to Neuer and Thomas Müller (muscular problems), Leroy Sané and Lucas Hernández will not be part of the squad after their muscle injuries, even though they trained with the team on Monday. Defense chief Matthijs de Ligt will also pause due to a knee injury. “The capsule is a bit injured,” said Nagelsmann.
“Anyone can show themselves, it’s nice,” said the trainer to the staff. Holland talent Ryan Gravenberch is allowed to appear in the starting XI. Kimmich, currently captain representing the missing Neuer and Müller, sees no problem in the changes: “We are currently very competitive. Everyone’s up for it, everyone’s turn, everyone wants to play.” Bayern are currently in flow. “We are strong and stable at the moment. And now we’ve managed to get both things right: the football and the result,” said Kimmich, who played almost all of the time.
Inter is already a fixed second in the table and a participant in the round of 16. Bayern won the first leg in Milan 2-0 with Sané, an outstanding goalscorer at the time. Bayern boss Oliver Kahn fears no motivation problems in the new showdown in the arena, even without great sporting pressure. “You saw against Mainz how our team ticks. Everyone who plays wants to show what they’ve got,” explained Kahn, referring to Saturday’s 6-2 win. Kahn’s message to Inter sounded accordingly: “It will definitely be everything, but not a comfortable friendly game.”
Two problem children: In addition to Neuer (left), Thomas Müller was also absent recently.
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Image: dpa
In addition to a prize money of 2.8 million euros, Bayern is tempted by a triple of six wins. After the title-winning 2019/20 season and last season, they could deliver an optimal group stage for the third time. “18 points in the group would be really strong,” said Nagelsmann. Three times six wins, no team has ever achieved that in the most important European club competition.
