Bayern Munich prepare for visit of Atletico Madrid with injury-boosted squad as Franck Ribery asks for recall from Pep Guardiola
- Bayern Munich face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday
- Pep Guardiola led his players through training on Monday ahead of clash
- Franck Ribery and Jerome Boateng are hoping for calls back into the side
Bayern trail 1-0 in the tie after Saul Niguez’s wonderstrike in the first leg in Spain but they remain confident of progressing and sealing a place in this month’s final in Milan.
Each player completed their own individual drills at Bayern’s performance centre before gathering on the training pitch for a session overseen by Guardiola.
Among the group was Ribery, who is hoping to be restored to the starting line-up having missed out on a place in Guardiola’s 11 in Bayern’s last three games.
I am doing a lot better,’ Ribery told Kicker. ‘I am ready for the game against Atletico. I am really looking forward to playing against them. I have to play.’
Jerome Boateng is also gunning for a recall after he made his return from an adductor injury in the game against Gladbach.
tletico travelled to Munich on Monday and were able to boast Diego Godin and Yannick Carrasco – absentees from the first leg – in their travelling party.
It remains to be seen whether Bayern, even with a side packed with proven attacking talent, can do what Barcelona could not and break down Diego Simeone’s resolute unit.
Captain Philipp Lahm remains confident that Bayern have what it takes to see the semi-final through in front of their own fans at the Allianz.
‘With the support of our fans we want to turn it around and reach the final,’ Lahm said.
For Guardiola, this could be the night that defines his Bundesliga spell ahead of moving to Manchester City next summer.
Win, and he’s into the Champions League final; lose, and his time with Bayern might be remembered as much for three semi-final exits as it will be for their domestic dominance.
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