At FC Bayern Munich, the personnel situation remains tense ahead of the top Bundesliga game against Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
Defender Niklas Süle was absent from the first public training since October on Tuesday. He was struggling with back problems, as the German soccer record champion announced.
A possible absence of Süles, who will switch to league competitor Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer at the end of the season, could force coach Julian Nagelsmann to reschedule the defense. Because in the yellow-banned Lucas Hernandez, a possible central defender is already out in the home game on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky).
In addition to Süle, the hundreds of fans on Tuesday morning only missed Alphonso Davies and Corentin Tolisso (torn muscle). Thomas Müller returned to team training in a good mood after having to take a break for the second time due to a coronavirus infection. The offensive man should therefore be available to the top of the table on Saturday.
Neuer before a possible comeback against Leverkusen
Midfielder Leon Goretzka as well as Bouna Sarr completed a few running units and exercises on the ball on a side pitch. Nagelsmann recently did not want to make a forecast about a possible comeback date.
On the other hand, it looks better with national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. After his right knee operation at the beginning of February, even a game against Leverkusen does not seem out of the question. As on the day before, the keeper completed goalkeeper-specific exercises with goalkeeping coach Toni Tapalović – even before the other players came onto the field.
With a win against third-placed Leverkusen, Munich want to underpin their lead in the table. Before the 25th match day, the lead over pursuers Dortmund is eight points.