Bayern prepare for Atlético with four attackers out and Neuer, Olise back in training

Neuer and Olise back in training

Manuel Neuer and Michael Olise rejoined Bayern Munich's training on Monday, 2 November, in the final session before the Champions League match at Atlético Madrid. Neuer had missed the recent games with a foot problem, while Olise was substituted late in the 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, 31 October. Both are expected to be available for the fourth league-phase match on Tuesday, 3 November, at the Estadio Riyadh Air Metropolitano, with kick-off at 21:00. Taking part in training does not guarantee selection, and no diagnosis for Olise has been published, so his involvement remains open.

Four attackers ruled out

Bayern travel without Jamal Musiala, Luis Díaz, Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry. Saibari had surgery after tearing a ligament in his ankle and will not be back until the new year. Gnabry was again substituted against Dortmund with a muscle injury. Díaz tore a muscle bundle in his left thigh against Arsenal on 22 October and cannot return before mid-November, while Musiala has been sidelined since a muscle injury he picked up with the national team at the end of September. Assistant coach Aaron Danks will be on the bench because head coach Vincent Kompany is still recovering from meningitis, which followed a collapse during a training session.

Karl at the centre of the debate

Lennart Karl, 18, has become the focus of a debate about social media, public criticism and a dispute between the club and his agent, Michael Ballack. Uli Hoeneß told Welt am Sonntag that he had suggested the teenager was a little big-headed, and he added:

“He is still a long way from being a superstar. Young players need humility.”

Sporting director Max Eberl described a sporting dip that Karl has to work his way out of. Ballack accused the club of mixing up sporting development with its public image. Karl came on late for Olise against Dortmund and hit the crossbar, and Danks told Die Welt that the club trusts him:

“We definitely trust Lennart, even in games like this.”

Table pressure and Atlético's form

Bayern have five points from three league-phase matches, after a 5-0 win over Bodø/Glimt and draws with Viking Stavanger (3-3) and Arsenal (2-2). The team needs three points on Tuesday to avoid two extra playoff matches that would fall in February. Thomas Helmer, the 1996 European champion, set the aim of finishing in the top eight for direct qualification, and said:

“You can really do without those two playoff games.”

Atlético have won seven league matches in a row and have not lost in nine competitive games, so a win is almost mandatory for Bayern. Helmer also warned that Harry Kane and Michael Olise cannot always be at full fitness.

What comes next

Joshua Kimmich said the squad would go all out again, while Eberl said the club would not back down over its missing players. Bayern are without head coach Vincent Kompany, so Aaron Danks will lead the side from the bench. The match kicks off at 21:00 on Tuesday, 3 November, and is being broadcast live by BR24Sport and BR24Radio.