FIRST TEAM
01/14/2010

Friday's opponent: FC Bayern München

While many Bundesliga sides completed their winter training sessions at home in Germany, Bavarian giants FC Bayern München made the now traditional trip to Dubai, to prepare for the second half of the season.

In six days Bayern completed ten training session and a fitness test in the sun, sea and sand of the Persian gulf. "The players have worked really hard", explained coach Louis van Gaal on Sunday, ahead of the team's flight back to Germany. "Everyone has given 100 percent, everyone is hungry and the mood within the team is really good. We had a very good training camp", continued the Dutchman.

Worries over Robben and Ribéry

There were however two clouds looming over Bayern's otherwise successful stay in Dubai; namely Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben. The Frenchman was unable to complete fitness training due to an enflamed bit toe and Arjen Robben sustained a sprain on the penultimate day of training. But there was some good luck for Robben, who had a few days off to recover. "It's really not too bad", insisted Director of Sport Christian Nerlinger. Team medic Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt the unenviable task of trying to get both of Bayern's star players back to full fitness in time for the game against Hoffenheim on Friday.

Success in friendly against Basel

Bayern's friendly against FC Basel marked the end of the winter preparations. "Training is more important that friendlies", said van Gaal. In their single friendly of the winter break, Bayern ran out eventual 3-1 victors over the Swiss side with goals from Altintop(73') and Klose (85',87'). But it was far from a convincing performance in front of the 20,000 fans who came to show their support. "We played fairly relaxed. In the second half we did well", was van Gaal's summary of the game. Against Basel van Gaal had to do without Arjen Robben and Franck Ribéry. Whether the pair will be fit for Friday's clash with Hoffenheim is still in doubt.

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