The training ground is filling up. On Wednesday, the Germany internationals Thomas Müller, Mats Hummels, Niklas Süle and Joshua Kimmich plus Robert Lewandowski, Thiago and Arjen Robben returned to full training at FC Bayern. With three days to go before the away game at Hoffenheim, which marks the start of a key phase of the season, Carlo Ancelotti will have to make do without David Alaba after the defender went off injured in the World Cup qualifier against Georgia on Tuesday night. Arturo Vidal and James Rodriguez, who are still on their way back to Munich, did not take part in the session. Sebastian Rudy completed an individual session at the performance centre.
The German record champions have seven games in the next 23 days. "First there’s the top match against Hoffenheim, then the Champions League and after that it's one game after the other. We are ready for the next few weeks," said Kimmich in an interview with FC Bayern TV LIVE as he looked forward to September's fixtures. The 22-year-old returns from international duty in confident mood.
Momentum thanks to impressive run
Germany earned six out of a possible six points and have taken a big step towards the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Kimmich was not completely happy with the narrow 2-1 win against the Czech Republic but the 6-0 victory over Norway was "the right reaction. Everybody was up for it and gave their all." At the same time, he was extending his own impressive run.
In the last 21 games for Germany, the Confed Cup winner has played every minute for his country – only Berti Vogts boasts a longer run (34). "I'm happy to have played so many games," said the 22-time international full of enthusiasm, "it didn't look like that would happen about a year ago. I'd never have believed it." This achievement gives the full-back the necessary momentum for the forthcoming challenges and Kimmich can hardly wait: "We’re finally getting started at last."
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