When the schedule is as tough as this, there’s no time to lose: immediately after Bayern’s 4-1 league victory over Cottbus, and with the players still in the Allianz Arena dressing room, the double winners began preparing for Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with Steaua Bucharest.
The players completed a programme of regeneration exercises, including cycling and ice-water baths, ahead of a fixture described by coach Jürgen Klinsmann as “unbelievably important. We have a huge opportunity to book a place in the last sixteen of the Champions League. Everything we’re doing from this moment onwards is focused on one thing, Steaua Bucharest.”
Regeneration was also the order of the day when the squad reported for training on Sunday. The players who completed more than a half against Cottbus busied themselves with warming down, gymnastic exercises and massage. The rest of the squad reported to the weights and fitness room for a stamina-building workout.
Podolski fit, Micho doubtful
Lukas Podolski, who missed out on Saturday with a bruised thigh, took part in Sunday’s session. The striker will return to the squad for Tuesday. “Lukas will be back,” Klinsmann confirmed. A question-mark remains over Martin Demichelis, who took a knock on the calf against Cottbus and was substituted at the interval - “a precautionary measure,” Klinsmann reported.
Saturday’s match produced no further injuries, so Klinsmann is set to pick from a full squad, minus long-term casualties Willy Sagnol and Hamit Altintop. “We want to wrap it up and make the last sixteen,” declared Bastian Schweinsteiger. The Bayern camp is totally focused on Steaua, both physically and mentally.
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