Fcbayern - Two days
ahead of Tuesday evening's Champions League showdown
against Juventus in Turin, the injury crisis affecting
Bayern's forward line has shown some signs of easing.
Both Vahid Hashemian and Zé Roberto are poised to return
to the Bavarians' squad, although Claudio Pizarro is
still sidelined with injury.
Hashemian shook off an ankle problem to resume training
on Sunday morning. "He's coming with us to
Turin," coach Felix Magath told a media conference
after the session. The Iran hitman is a very real
possibility for a start alongside Roy Makaay.
Claudio Pizarro will not be fit in time for the trip to
the Serie A leaders. "I don't believe he'll make it,
and even if he's on the plane, there has to be a huge
question-mark over his ability to play," the boss
reported.
The Peru striker has been laid low by a back problem for
almost two weeks now. The injury forced the player to
break off a fitness test on Sunday morning. "It's
definitely improving," he told fcbayern.de, but he
ruled himself out of contention for Turin. "I won't
be fit in time," he confirmed.
Both Pizarro and Hashemian missed Saturday's 1-0 home
defeat by Schalke. If the Iranian fails to recover
completely in time for the Champions League Group C
encounter, Magath will again be forced to field Makaay as
a lone striker, as Roque Santa Cruz and Alex Zickler are
both still unfit.
On a positive note, Zé Roberto returns to the team in
midweek. Magath ordered the Brazilian to rest on Saturday
after his marathon journey on international duty, but the
winger took part in Sunday's workout and is a certain
starter on Tuesday.
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