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Bayern Munich: Manuel Neuer returns to first team training

By Kiran Thakare

MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 16: Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Allianz Arena on September 16, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images)
MUNICH, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 16: Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer of Muenchen controls the ball during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Allianz Arena on September 16, 2017 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by TF-Images/TF-Images via Getty Images) /
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Bayern Munich confirms the return of Manuel Neuer to first team training as the German starts training with the ball.

The German goalkeeper is finally back in training after being out for the majority of this season. Bayern Munich announced on Thursday that Neuer completed his first training session with the ball. However, it remains to be seen whether Neuer will be fit for the Bundesliga game on Saturday.

Neuer suffered his first foot injury in April last year against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals. The German international did not play again that season and also missed Bayern’s pre-season tour of Asia. Bayern were confident that Neuer would be back for the start of ’17-18 season.

However, after playing one game in the Bundesliga, Neuer suffered a similar injury in training at the end of September. Bayern Munich confirmed that Neuer will be out for four months. The German’s worst fears came true when he revealed that it might take more than six months for him to completely recover from this injury.

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Neuer was a major miss for Bayern on the pitch as well as in the dressing room. He was made the club captain after Philipp Lahm retired last season. Bayern Munich were criticized for their handling of Neuer’s first injury. The club was even more cautious this time as there is a World Cup this summer and any further setback would have not allowed Neuer to play in possibly his last World Cup for Germany.

Sven Ulreich has been in fine form in the absence of Neuer for Bayern Munich. Ulreich struggled last season after Neuer’s injury. He suffered a shoulder injury in the last month of the season which kept him out of action during the pre-season tour. The German started the season in the worst possible manner as he committed too many errors.

Bayern had a shaky start to the campaign which eventually led to the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti. The team’s fortunes completely changed after the arrival of Jupp Heynckes. Ulreich steadily improved under the German manager and started to deliver consistent performances in goal. He credited Heynckes for the upturn in his form. Ulreich was rewarded for his performances with a new contract by the club.

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Despite the improvement shown by Ulreich, Neuer is likely to take his place back in the starting eleven soon. Bayern Munich are in a commanding position in their Champions League quarter-final tie against Sevilla. The club will be hoping that Neuer will provide them the necessary boost in the latter stages of the competition.

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