Munich (AP) – FC Bayern Munich has completed the final training session for the Champions League game against RB Salzburg with captain Manuel Neuer. The national soccer goalkeeper dived with full commitment on the club grounds after the balls shot by goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalovic.
This marks a comeback for the 35-year-old Neuer on Tuesday (9 p.m.) just four weeks after an operation on his right knee. However, only the first 15 minutes of the exercise session were open to media representatives.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann did not want to start Neuer again in the Bundesliga home game against Bayer Leverkusen after the first team training session last Friday. Even then, he called a cold start against Salzburg “a small goal”.
In the 1-1 draw in the round of 16 first leg in Salzburg, Sven Ulreich was in the Bayern goal. Neuer last played on February 5 in a 3-2 draw against RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. After the intervention on the meniscus, it was initially assumed that there would be a break of more than a month. Neuer’s rehab and the rehabilitation training went well.
Coach Nagelsmann can again use world champion Lucas Hernández in defense against Salzburg. The Frenchman had to sit out the 1-1 draw against Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend due to a yellow card suspension. The top performers Leon Goretzka and Alphonso Davies will also be missing.