Created on 12-08-2008 at 00:00 AM
With just three days remaining until the new Bundesliga season, the Bayern stars spent Tuesday afternoon enjoying a foretaste of the atmosphere set to prevail at Friday’s home meeting with Hamburger SV. Some 20,000 fans flocked to the Allianz Arena for a public training session, heralding the start of the final push towards match-readiness ahead of the first top flight fixture of the new term.
First team training on the same ground three weeks ago was an exhibition compared to Tuesday’s gruelling and sweat-inducing workout in oppressive summer heat. “It’s an amazing atmosphere, unbelievable,” declared Klinsmann, again stunned by the depth of interest in his team and methods.
Toni on the ball
The coach could enjoy more selection options than he did in the weekend Cup clash against Erfurt, where three of Bayern’s five outfield subs were drawn from the reserves. Italian World Cup winner Luca Toni has recovered from a calf problem and dental surgery, and resumed the team training programme.
“We’ll bring Luca back step by step,” advised Klinsmann, fresh from an individual morning workout with his star striker. However, the 31-year-old is highly unlike to start against Hamburger SV, as it would be “a few more days” until he recovers full fitness.