Douglas Costa ups the tempo

The weather in Munich on Wednesday morning was poor, so thousands of Bayern fans were delighted when Carlo Ancelotti postponed the first training session of the new week until the late afternoon. The driving rain duly gave way to sunshine and the public workout took place in dry conditions. In a welcome development, Douglas Costa briefly joined his team-mates for part of the session for the first time since sustaining an injury at the end of last season, although the Brazilian continued his rehab programme on an adjacent pitch following the warm-up. Renato Sanches was also part of the group after withdrawing from the Portugal squad to focus on working towards a comeback in Munich. Apart from long-term absentees Holger Badstuber, Arjen Robben, Kingsley Coman and Jérôme Boateng, nine stars were absent on international duty. The squad was augmented by a handful of junior team youth players.

Ancelotti to attend elite coaching forum

FCB head coach Ancelotti’s schedule this week includes a prestigious appointment, as the Italian and Wolfsburg boss Dieter Hecking will represent the Bundesliga at the UEFA Elite Club Coaches Forum in Nyon, Switzerland. European football’s governing body has invited the pair to the 18th edition of the forum. Ancelotti and Hecking will exchange views and ideas with the likes of José Mourinho (Manchester United), Arsène Wenger (Arsenal) and Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid). The forum is chaired by former coaching legend Sir Alex Ferguson.