The international break has given some Bayern Munich players valuable time to heal and recover from injuries ahead of the most gruelling stage of the season. There were several positive updates from the training session on Monday.
Jamal Musiala and Alphonso Davies, who both suffered an injury in the first leg against Atalanta, have begun team and individual training during this period. Aleksandar Pavlovic is also back with the team after missing Germany's games due to a minor injury. The trio participated in the entire 50-minute session with the team and then completed an additional half hour. Raphael Guerreiro also trained with the team on Monday.
This is a phenomenal sign for Bayern ahead of the big Champions League games against Real Madrid. The coaching staff has increased the workload for all these players to help them get back in top form. Musiala, particularly, practised duels and finishing with the assistant coaches. However, according to BILD, his dribbling is still not as fluid as in the pre-injury period, which leaves a question mark on his availability in the coming weeks.
Bayern do not have to worry about injuries in the goalkeeping department
Jonas Urbig, who had to leave the German camp due to a knee capsule injury, worked individually with goalkeeping coach Andreas Rossl. Bayern Munich hope he can make his comeback against Freiburg, admittedly from the bench.
Manuel Neuer has also returned and will be available in the latter stage of the season. The veteran goalkeeper celebrated his 40th birthday on Friday. He is eager to play in the Champions League quarter-finals against Real Madrid.
The practice still only features players who were not on national team duty. Bayern welcomed back Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano and Luis Diaz as they were the first to complete their matches.
The German internationals will return soon after winning against Ghana in Stuttgart. Harry Kane, Hiroki Ito, and others will reunite with the team after today and tomorrow.
Another great news for Bayern fans is that Vincent Kompany has given the chance to practice with the senior squad for lots of academy youngsters.
The list includes: Skender Nuraj (2010), Thibault Maspimby (2010), Simon Schaff (2009), Adam El-Chaar (2009), Erblin Osmani (2009), Philipp von Taube (2009), Frank Egwuatu (2009), Richard Ajayi (2009), Maycon Cardozo (2008) and Leopold Schmid (2008).
Cardozo and Osmani had made their debuts earlier in the season. Meanwhile, the most notable player out of the bunch was Philipp von Taube, Bayern’s U17 top goalscorer this season.