Bayern Munich’s dress rehearsal before the second leg in the Champions League round of 16 against Salzburg (Tuesday, 9 p.m.) should take place today against Leverkusen without captain Manuel Neuer: “With training, it would be a bit naïve to throw him in there immediately.” , said coach Julian Nagelsmann before the hit in the German Bundesliga (3:30 p.m.).
Four weeks ago, Neuer underwent meniscus surgery and yesterday he trained with the team for the first time. The goal is for the 36-year-old to be able to play again “as early as possible”, probably on Tuesday against Salzburg. Nagelsmann: “That’s a small goal, where we look, where it can work.” Today Neuer is again represented by Sven Ulreich.
“The hot phase” of the season is now beginning for Nagelsmann. The mood was much better after the 1-0 win in Frankfurt: “The spirit is more pleasant again in the team and in the club.” The series champion has an eight-point lead over Dortmund because Borussia was unable to take advantage of the rival’s brief phase of weakness. Leverkusen is 14 points behind Bayern. “We’re happy to play against the best,” said Swiss coach Gerardo Seoane. Julian Baumgartlinger is still behind in training.
Gate factories duel
In any case, the duel promises a lot of goals: Both Bayern (75) and Leverkusen (63) had never scored so many goals after 24 match days. “A goal spectacle would certainly be good for the spectators. For the coaches, however, only depending on the outcome of the spectacle,” said Nagelsmann. Bayern won the first leg 5-1 after a 5-0 break lead. “That won’t happen again,” assured Leverkusen’s sporting director Rudi Völler.
Dortmund game cancelled
Dortmund has to take a break at the weekend: the game on Sunday was canceled due to a corona outbreak in Mainz. The German Football League granted a corresponding request from the club of Karim Onisiwo, Kevin Stöger and David Nemeth on Friday. In addition to coach Bo Svensson, all three goalkeepers and a total of 13 players at Mainz are infected. The game will be rescheduled on March 16th.
Source: Nachrichten
