Power boost training for Bayern

FCBayernNews · News fetcher Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 1328 votes: 2

11.10.2006

Meterologically-speaking at least, all the signs for a „Golden October“ are present at Bayern Munich. Bright sunshine, temperatures of just over 20 degrees and a pitch in perfect condition – it is hard to imagine a better place for professional footballers to be than at the German champions’ training ground at the Säbener Strasse.

And to make sure that the sporting side of things goes according to plan over the next few weeks, Bayern coach Felix Magath took advantage of the Indian summer conditions to boost the fitness of his players not on international duty, three days before the top-of-the-table clash with leaders Hertha Berlin. The next four weeks will be tough going for Bayern as they play 9 matches in the space of 29 days.

Pizarro back

The focus of fitness expert Werner Leuthard’s 90 minute training session on Wednesday was circuit training, designed to inject a small “power boost”. Oliver Kahn, Mark van Bommel, Roy Makaay and eleven other players sweated their way through chin-ups, hurdles, medicine ball work and other exercises, and the strain could clearly be seen on their faces.

Claudio Pizarro also participated in the hard session, which particularly pleased the head coach. The Peruvian international had decided not to play in a friendly match against Chile on Wednesday, opting instead to return to Munich early. “That is obviously a very positive move“, commented Felix Magath on Pizarro’s decision, which he maintained was “voluntary”.

Not so important

Magath was pleased with Pizarro’s decision, following Roque Santa Cruz and Julio do Santos deciding to opt out of a strenuous long-haul trip to a friendly away match in Australia. In view of the internal competition for places in the German double-winners’ star-studded squad, the players had recognised “that an international friendly match isn’t so important. But given the competition at Bayern, being on form is.”

This should mean that Pizarro, who is Bayern’s most successful striker this season with three goals, should be first choice once again against Hertha on Saturday. The same cannot be said for Hasan Salihamidzic. A persistent calf problem caused the Bosnian to forego the circuit training in favour of a light jogging session. However, Magath is confident that “Brazzo” will be able to resume normal training on Thursday.

Changeable and autumnal

Thursday is also when the rest of the internationals will be back at the Säbener Strasse training ground. The weather forecast for the next few days is changeable and autumnal so the meteorological "Golden October" is drawing to a close. But hopefully from a sporting point of view it is only just beginning.