Holger Badstuber's left foot is in plaster, but the FCB defender is able to smile again. “I’ve been through it so often, optimism is rooted deep in me,” the 26-year-old declared in the FCB.tv studio on Tuesday. Three days after his ankle fracture and the ensuing op he returned to the Säbener Strasse facility for physio sessions. “It could be worse. I'm looking to the future,” the centre-back declared.
Badstuber was in for two surprises when he returned. Coach Pep Guardiola and the team greeted him with a special video: “Cheer up, mate! You're so strong! We're with you,” said Franck Ribéry. Rafinha joked: “Holger! I can play in central defence too... but you'd better return.” Badstuber laughed as he watched the video: “It's great!”
'We're not afraid'
The second surprise was Karl-Heinz Rummenigge himself. The FCB chairman delivered his best wishes in person: “Get well soon!” Rummenigge wished the FCB youth product an early return to the pitch and declared: “What I like about Holger is that he immediately approaches things with optimism again. It's wonderful.”
Rummenigge commented approvingly on the coaching and playing staff’s gesture in the match away to Augsburg. On Sunday the Bayern players wore special Badstuber T-shirts. “The team came up with the idea,” revealed Rummenigge, “the players have a great mentality, great character. They don't lament, they just play well and win. It means we can look ahead with optimism. We're not afraid.”
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