Mazraoui in Bayern training ahead of Istanbul game: Gnabry involved
Noussair Mazraoui is back in team training at FC Bayern Munich. The Moroccan international, who attracted a lot of criticism with a pro-Palestinian social media post, joined the team in Munich on Monday for the final training session in preparation for the game against Galatasaray Istanbul. Serge Gnabry also took part in the warm-up ahead of the German record champions' departure for the Champions League match in the Turkish metropolis on Tuesday (18:45/Prime Video) after breaking his arm. Only the first 15 minutes of the session were visible.
Like recently, the long-injured captain Manuel Neuer also trained with his colleagues. He is set to make his return in an FC Bayern match on Saturday in the Bundesliga against Darmstadt 98. Injured pros Dayot Upamecano, Raphaël Guerreiro and Leon Goretzka, who suffered a broken hand in the 3-1 defeat in Mainz, were absent from training.
Coach Thomas Tuchel had expressed hope after the Mainz win that Mazraoui could possibly return to the squad after his muscle injury against the Turkish record champions. It will be "very tight", Tuchel had said.
Gnabry had also recently completed exercises with the team, but still needs to be careful after breaking his arm. Dutchman Matthijs de Ligt, who is fit again after an injury, and Joshua Kimmich, who has been ill recently, also took part in training on Monday. Both appear to have coped well with their outings in Mainz.
After a 4:3 win over Manchester United and a 2:1 win at FC Copenhagen, Munich will be looking for their next success in the top flight. Istanbul, who recently caused a stir with a 3:2 win in Manchester, are currently FC Bayern's closest rivals.
In view of the shortage of personnel, Tuchel could make good use of Mazraoui. The Moroccan recently caused a stir when he posted a video on social media wishing the Palestinians a victory in the conflict with Israel. After his return from the national team, FC Bayern had "a detailed and clarifying conversation" with him last week. The 25-year-old remained in the Munich squad.
Source: www.dpa.com
