The ranks at FC Bayern are filling up again. On the day Corentin Tolisso completed his first light run on the pitch after his cruciate ligament rupture in September 2018, Niko Kovac was able to gather almost his entire squad on the training ground. Only midfielder Thiago was missing today due to "neuromuscular problems", the Bayern head coach said.
"He wasn't there today, but we expect him to take part again tomorrow, so he'll be another alternative for the weekend," the 47-year-old explained, two days before the record champions' away match at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Kovac, who played for the Werkself from 1996 to 1999 and had "three beautiful years" there added "I'm looking forward to the game. It's always a nice feeling to come back to former clubs."
No risks with Robben & Ribéry
As in the last two games at Hoffenheim and against Stuttgart, Kovac will probably have to manage without Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben at Leverkusen as well. The injured duo had trained well in the last "three, four days" and already completed parts of the team training again, but both still had some "catching up" to do. "I don't think they'll make it in time for the weekend," the coach added.
In view of the upcoming challenges in three competitions, Kovac and his coaching assistants "don’t want to take any risks", the master tactician emphasised. "Hopefully we'll have a lot of games in the next few weeks and months, so we'll have to count on everyone."
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