With a sixth Bundesliga title in a row finally under wraps, FC Bayern turned their attentions towards the Champions League on Tuesday as they prepared for their quarter-final second leg against Sevilla.
The German champions gathered early at Säbener Straße for training under the auspices of coach Jupp Heynckes and also the gathered media for the opening 15 minutes of the session before the team shut the doors to outsiders and continued their preparations in secret.
The positive atmosphere within the squad was clear to see as the team began with a game of keepy-uppy and Franck Ribery, who turned 35 on Saturday, was chased around the pitch by assistant coach Hermann Gerland.
The team was almost complete for the morning’s session with only Arturo Vidal missing due to a knee injury alongside long-term absentees Kingsley Coman and captain Manuel Neuer, who has however stepped up his return from a broken foot.
Despite Bayern’s 2-1 lead from the first leg and the excellent position the Bavarians find themselves in, Heynckes still put his players through their paces for the media in attendance. And while the German champions were sweating on the pitch, their Spanish opponents were in the air en route to Munich and are due to land in the Bavarian capital shortly after midday.
As Sevilla make their way to their hotel, we will be hearing from Heynckes and Arjen Robben at the pre-match press conference at 14:00. Later in the evening, Vincenzo Montella will be holding his press briefing ahead of training at the Allianz Arena.
Bayern have only once failed to progress once in Europe after winning a first leg away from home, so the signs look good for when the five-time European champions set out to secure a semi-final berth tomorrow evening (kick-off: 20:45 CEST, coverage available via our live ticker).
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