FC Bayern are halfway through their training camp on Lake Tegernsee. One day after their 1-0 win in the friendly against Manchester United, it was back to training for the record champions on Monday morning. In front of around 2,000 spectators, Niko Kovac assembled his players for their next open practice session at the sports grounds of FC Rottach-Egern.
The 24 players were split into two groups. Those who had played for longer against United – such as Arjen Robben, Javi Martínez, Niklas Süle and Joshua Kimmich – went through a regenerative session in the fitness tent, along with Sandro Wagner and Renato Sanches who are nursing minor knocks. The morning session mainly comprised the exercise bike, stabilisation exercises and stretching.
Meanwhile, the other 13 players – including James, who completed the full session – were working hard on the pitch with and without the ball. After the warm-up, the group started with some speed work before passing and moving drills. The tempo and volume levels then went up a notch in the small-sided 3 v 3 and 6 v 6 games.
“I think we’re in good shape,” commented Franck Ribéry after the session. He also had praise for Kovac, who is going about his job with “lots of energy” and “motivating the players a lot”. The former Bayern player has “a different mentality” to his predecessors in Munich. “He did well with Frankfurt and now he’s carrying that on with us. We’re happy, it’s enjoyable,” added Ribéry.
Another session, not open to the public, takes place this afternoon. The training session planned for Tuesday was already cancelled on Sunday. The next opportunity for Bayern fans to see their stars in action will be the friendly against FC Rottach-Egern on Wednesday afternoon (17:30 CEST) as well as the final open session before their return to Munich on Thursday morning (10:00).
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