Germany will contest their friendly against Asian champions Australia on Wednesday without Manuel Neuer. The Bayern keeper has a knee inflammation, national team head coach Joachim Löw announced on Tuesday. “It could be another day or two before it clears up,” Löw reported. Neuer is set to resume team training on Thursday and is not considered a doubt for Sunday’s EURO 2016 qualifier away to Georgia. Backup keepers Roman Weidenfeller and Ron-Robert Zieler will deputise against the Australians.
Löw: Badstuber will play
Holger Badstuber is set for a first Germany appearance in two and a half years, coach Löw announced in his pre-match press conference. The FCB centre-back and fellow long-term absentee Ilkay Gündogan of Dortmund will make comebacks in the upcoming internationals, Löw continued: “Both have recovered their rhythm after playing a few games,” the coach said, confirming his plan to start with both Badstuber and Gündogan against the Socceroos on Wednesday.
Complete rest for Robben
For the first time since sustaining an injury last Sunday, Arjen Robben was back at the Säbener Strasse training facility on Tuesday. The Dutchman, who tore a stomach muscle in Bayern’s league meeting with Mönchengladbach, reported to the medical unit for lymph drainage and physiotherapy. Robben has been ordered to rest completely for the next two weeks.
Old boy Hamann drops by
Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina were pleasantly surprised after Tuesday training at the Säbener Strasse when they met up with a former team-mate from their time with Liverpool, namely Dietmar Hamann. The trio spent the years from 2004 2006 together in the north-west of England. Former Germany international Hamann is an FC Bayern youth product and made 106 Bundesliga appearances for Munich between 1993 and 1998.
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