Small group in action – all-clear for Contento

Pep Guardiola opted not to schedule an official training session for Monday morning, but a small group of players still reported to one of the pitches adjacent to the stadium in Arco for an extra workout. The group largely comprised players who were still absent for the official restart on 26 June and are thus a few sessions behind their team-mates.

Alongside Saturday evening arrival Arjen Robben, forwards Claudio Pizarro, Xherdan Shaqiri and Mario Mandzukic continued shaking off the summer cobwebs, together with defensive trio Daniel van Buyten, David Alaba and Jan Kirchhoff, and keeper Lukas Raeder.

Diego injury only minor

Guardiola and his assistant Hermann Gerland supervised the session, with the routines mainly focused on fitness, although the ball generally featured as usual. The next public session takes place at 6.30 pm on Monday evening in Arco.

Away from the practice ground, there was relief for full-back Diego Contento, who took a knock to the left ankle the previous evening and was forced to break off the session. However, team medic Dr. Peter Ueblacker handed Contento the all-clear after diagnosing no serious damage.