FC Bayern start preparations for Barca clash

Things are getting serious now! In 35 degrees and with a light breeze on the Atlantic coast, FC Bayern began their preparations for the Champions League finals knockout tournament in Lisbon. Late on Monday morning, the German record champions completed their first practice session at the team quarters in Lagos, some 300 kilometres from Portugal's capital, ahead of the quarter-final this Friday evening against Spanish giants Barcelona (21:00 CEST).

Boateng und Coman train with the squad

With the exception of Benjamin Pavard, who is out injured and Joshua Zirkzee, who is feeling a bit under the weather, coach Hansi Flick welcomed his entire squad to the beautifully maintained training grounds. Jérôme Boateng, who had to come off in the second leg of the round of 16 against Chelsea FC last Friday, and Kingsley Coman, who had been rested against the Blues due to muscular problems, also took part in the session.

 

The players mainly involved against Chelsea were able to take things a little easier in the first training session, with defender David Alaba only completing a light running session. In the secluded hotel complex on the cliffs overlooking the sea, the Bavarians will be looking to adapt to the Portuguese summer climate and prepare for their clash with the Catalans. "We have to recharge their batteries," said Flick, who gave his players the afternoon off on Monday.

Travel to Lisbon on Thursday

On Tuesday and Wednesday the squad will have further training sessions at the team quarters in Lagos before heading to Lisbon on Thursday, where the final training session will take place in the evening at the Estádio da Luz.

Check out the best images from the first training session in the Algarve: