Rode resumes work with the ball

Like Franck Ribéry, Sebastian Rode is making progress in his recovery from injury. The 25-year-old had the ball at his feet again for the first time on Friday morning. Rode has been sidelined for more than six weeks now due to tendon problems in his thigh and was restricted to running sessions in the last few days. The last time the former Frankfurt pro was in the FCB squad dates back to 26 September in the match away to Mainz. Ribéry too put in an intense shift on the turf even though there was no official team training on Friday.