He arrived in early August – and he picked up a serious injury in early October. Pepe Reina has made a less than optimal start to his time with FC Bayern, as he has been out for the last eight weeks with a calf injury. However, the Spaniard says he is now “on the home straight” as he works towards a comeback. “I’m really looking forward to playing again,” Reina told FCB.tv at the official opening of the club’s first fan shop in Berlin, “I’m energised by the sense of anticipation.”
“I’ve been working very hard over the last few weeks” in the Säbener Strasse performance centre, the Madrid-born player continued. “I’ll be stronger for it when I come back.” Reina completed a first session of jogging and coordination drills outdoors on Tuesday morning. He will increase the physical load in training over the next few days before resuming goalkeeping-specific training.
Apart from Reina, coach Pep Guardiola is currently without a further seven players due to injury. “There’s quite a few of us at the moment unfortunately,” the 32-year-old noted, “so it’s not easy. But the good thing is that we mutually encourage each other. That’s very, very important at a time like this.”
Reina, who has uncomplainingly accepted his role as deputy to undisputed number one keeper Manuel Neuer from the start, has yet to play a competitive match for Bayern. However, the long-serving ex-Liverpool shot-stopper is truly impressed with his new club and feels all his expectations have been confirmed. “FC Bayern is a superbly well-organised club and the players are unbelievably good. The same goes for the coaching staff. It’s just like you see on TV. But obviously, it’s a thousand times better when you’re actually part of it yourself.”
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