In the aftermath of Tuesday’s intense battle with Real Madrid, Jupp Heynckes ordered his men to report for duty on Wednesday but handed them Thursday off. Barely 13 hours after the final whistle in the Champions League semi-final first leg, and following the normal pattern for the day after a match, the players were split into two groups: the stars who played more than one half the previous night remained in the performance centre for regenerative exercise and treatment.
The rest of the squad (Müller, Rafinha, Tymoshchuk, Olic, Pranjic, Petersen, Usami, Contento, Neuer, Butt) were out on the practice ground, where some 500 spectators watched the group warm up with stamina-building exercise. The outfield players then practised passing and shooting, before the session finished with a short-sided game. After Thursday’s rest day, the squad is due back on Friday to focus on preparations for the weekend Bundesliga trip to Bremen.
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