Bayern Munich expect to have Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger fit for tomorrow’s Champions League clash against Napoli, despite the Germany star suffering a calf knock.
The 27-year-old limped out of Bayern’s 4-0 home win over Nuremberg on Saturday in the German league after taking a knock to the muscle.
Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes initially suggested Schweinsteiger would struggle to be fit to face the Italians, but although he sat out training on Sunday, he is expected to be able to play.
“It’s significantly better,” Heynckes said when asked about the injury while Schweinsteiger was expected to train with the team again today.
Heynckes is also waiting on the fitness of Belgium defender Daniel van Buyten who has a bruised left foot from the win over Nuremberg on Saturday, but is expected to play.
If the centre-back is ruled out, Germany defender Jerome Boateng can step in to replace him, while Toni Kroos can partner Brazil’s Luis Gustavo at the back of Bayern’s midfield if Schweinsteiger is not fit.
After wins over Manchester City and Villarreal, plus a draw at Napoli, Bayern have a two-point lead at the top of Group A while the Italians are second in the table and both sides are unbeaten in their European campaigns so far.
Bayern are eager to claim their ninth straight home win at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
They have turned their state-of-the-art stadium into something of a fortress of late as Borussia Moenchengladbach were the last visiting team to score in Munich when they poached a shock 1-0 win back on August 7.
Since then Bayern have scored 33 goals without reply.
Positive Mazzarri
Napoli travel to Munich on the back of a domestic defeat and have captain Paolo Cannavaro suspended.
Lying second in Serie A before kick-off, Walter Mazzarri’s men fell 2-1 away to Catania on Saturday evening and are now five points off leaders Juve in the league.
Despite the defeat, Mazzarri saw enough positive play from his team to be confident in Munich.
“In the second half, despite being a man down we pinned Catania in their area for long periods,” said Mazzarri.
“Football is like this, sometimes things go well and others they go badly but if we keep playing like this they’ll mostly go well.”