The next few weeks are critical for Bayern Munich in terms of the Bundesliga title race and their quest for the Champions League title this season. The Bavarian club has big games coming up in both competitions, while they are also involved in DFB Pokal.
Julian Nagelsmann has received a significant boost for these big games as Sadio Mane returned to training with his teammates on Sunday. Mane will look to get in the rhythm during the training sessions with the team this week. The Senegalese forward is expected to be part of the squad for next weekend’s big Bundesliga game against Union Berlin.
Sadio Mane has been on the sidelines since November. He suffered an injury to his tibia during the 6-1 win against Werder Bremen. The 30-year-old was initially included in Senegal’s squad for the World Cup, but further diagnosis revealed that he needed surgery to recover from this injury. Mane missed the World Cup and underwent surgery in Germany at the end of November.
Initially, Mane was hopeful about making a return to the squad for last week’s Champions League game against PSG. However, his recovery process needed a week longer before resuming first-team training. The former Liverpool forward is expected to feature against PSG in the return leg at the start of March.
Sadio's back 😍
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) February 19, 2023
📽️ https://t.co/QYIUroWzmU#MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/CISDOq3NNF
Sadio Mane has been a crucial player for Die Roten since arriving from Liverpool in the summer. He has scored 11 goals for Bayern across all competitions. If he remains fit for the remainder of the season, Mane has a good chance of ending his debut season in Munich with 20 goals.
The 30-year-old forward also has the knack of making an impact in big games, so his timely return to fitness will help Die Roten to end the campaign strongly. Moreover, games are coming thick and fast for Bayern, so having more options in the attack will help Julian Nagelsmann.
In terms of short-term injuries, Kingsley Coman is expected to be back in the squad against Union Berlin after missing the game against Borussia Monchengladbach. The French winger had suffered a minor knock against PSG. Meanwhile, Manuel Neuer and Lucas Hernandez remain long-term absentees for Die Roten.
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Bayern is currently level on points with Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin in the Bundesliga. A superior goal difference has allowed Die Roten to sit at the top of the points table. The record Bundesliga champions also have a 1-0 advantage against PSG before the second leg in Munich. The Bavarian club will face Eintracht Frankfurt on April 4 in the quarter-final of the DFB Pokal.