Look who's back after 10 months of absence

Good news has arrived for Bayern Munich fans ahead of the big derby with RB Leipzig (Saturday, 18.30): Manuel Neuer is training with his teammates again! The experienced goalkeeper - according to information from the German media - will not be in competition for the team for at least another 20 days, but the Bavarian giants are satisfied that after almost a year since he broke his leg while skiing in December 2022, he was back on the field and working part of training with the team. The keeper was on the pitch for 75 minutes, and shortly after 17 hours,. he came off the pitch together with Leroy Sané after a final shooting exercise. Neuer held a ball in his hand and seemed satisfied.

In Bayern, they waited impatiently for the return of the captain because Sven Ulrich did not prove to be an adequate replacement, while Yan Sommer, who had that role last season, left for Inter this summer. Both of them were given a limited period of confidence until Neuer's return, but not only Thomas Tuchel and the people at Bayern are happy that that moment is approaching, but also Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann. Although the young tactician (36) and the one-year-older goalkeeper had some disagreements during their cooperation in Bayern, some media in Germany report that they recently had a conversation and smoothed over the relationship, which means that Manuel Neuer will be in competition for a place among the posts of the German national team. But, his status will depend on his form upon his return to the Bayern goal, i.e. it will not be based on his old merits.

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The newly elected coach is expected to ‘shake up’ his team as soon as possible and return it to the top of European football so that it can compete for gold at the European Championship, which will be held in Germany next summer. Bringing Neuer back in place of Barcelona's Ter Stegen could be one of Nagelsmann's bigger moves, but it certainly won't happen for the tests against the United States and Mexico on October 14 and 18.

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Neuer's return to competitive football is expected after the international break. Bayern then visit Mainz (October 21), then Galatasaray in the Champions League (October 24), and then play Darmstadt at home (October 28).

"The exact date has not been set, but he is not far away and Neuer is ready to defend again. I would say it is a matter of days, but we all have to be careful, because he has been injured for a long time. We will monitor the situation closely and we believe that he will be back in action soon" said the sporting director of the Bavarians, Christoph Freund.

BUNDESLIGA - MATCHDAY 6

Friday

21:30: (3.20) Hoffenheim (3.70) Dortmund (2.25)

Saturday

16:30: (2.85) Koln (3.40) Stuttgart (2.45)

16:30: (2.45) Bochum (3.60) M' gladbach (2.95)

16:30: (3.25) Heidenheim (3.50) Union Berlin (2.30)

16:30: (6.00) Mainz (4.10) Leverkusen (1.55)

16:30: (2.20) Wolfsburg (3.40) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.30)

19:30: (3.70) RB Leipzig (3.70) Bayern (1.95)

Sunday

16:30: (2.90) Darmstadt (3.45) Werder (2.40)

18:30: (1.75) Freiburg (3.70) Augsburg (5.40)

***odds are subject to change***