The Bayern stars are in Doha, Qatar from 4 to 10 January, toiling away at the traditional mid-season training camp. Read our daily diary direct from the Aspire Zone Foundation and find out more about the players' activities and impressions.
FC Bayern are now in the second half of the mid-season training camp in Doha. The players have already been put through their paces but there is still much to do. "After the training sessions, the energy levels aren't as high as at the start," said Niklas Süle in commenting on the intense workload at the Aspire Zone facility. "Over the past few days we've worked hard on fitness and strength – and, of course, that tires you out from time to time." Tuesday morning also started with another exhausting session for the Bayern pros following demanding shifts on the other days. Short sprints, lifting weights and strength-building drills using a bungee cord – it was tiring just watching the training session. However, Niko Kovac did not have his whole squad available for the two-hour stint on the training ground.
Serge Gnabry, Joshua Kimmich and Rafinha completed individual sessions in the gym – with Corentin Tolisso and Arjen Robben also following their own programme of work on the road back to fitness.
Hard work will pay dividends for the rest of the season
The rest of the squad gave their all. When Kovac organised two against two games on a small pitch with two goals, the players were in exuberant mood in spite of all their exertions. Every successful move and every goal was celebrated vociferously. Everybody in the team is well aware of the point of all the hard work.
"The work here will help us in the second half of the season. We've still got a few days before it gets going again and I'm assuming we won't carry on like this right through to the Hoffenheim game," said Süle with a smile on his face. "Our coaches will make sure we're fully on the case for the restart." Kovac may well have had the thoughts of the central defender in mind as he gave his players the afternoon off.
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