#31 Bastian Schweinsteiger

[Oliver_Kahn]

FC Bayern München midfielder Schweinsteiger has returned injured from international duty and is rated doubtful for the clash with Schalke.


Schweinsteiger returned nursing a bruised thigh and was unable to take part in Tuesday's programme.

Hitzfeld concerned

"He's doubtful for Saturday," FCB head coach Ottmar Hitzfeld reported.

Mark van Bommel also missed the afternoon session, reporting for treatment after feeling a hamstring stiffen in the morning, but the Dutch midfielder's fitness poses a less serious concern as he is expected to play a full part in Wednesday's double workout.

[Oliver_Kahn]

If he can't return to fitness in time, who should replace him ? Gorlitz ?

[Trim]

I'd try Karimi.

[Oliver_Kahn]

He hasn't played since the restart of the season, not sure if he would do well.

I think Hitzfeld is going to push Brazzo to the left and play Gorlitz on the right

[Trim]

No idea tbh.

[Oliver_Kahn]

Maybe Hitzfled could try the 3 strikers formation, although pushing Brazzo to the left makes much mroe sense

[Trim]

The good news was made possible by Bastian Schweinsteiger's swift recovery from painful bruising sustained in Germany's meeting with the Czech Republic at the weekend. The player duly came through Wednesday's workout unscathed. "It's gone very well with the injury," Hitzfeld reported.

[Trim]

Great news!

[Trim]

Bastian Schweinsteiger scored a beautiful goal today against Hannover. Podolski crossed to Ottl which put the ball into the ground and passed it to Schweinsteiger which launched a powerful shot that first hit the bar and than went in. Enke was just a spectator.

[Oliver_Kahn]

No one could have saved that shot. Brilliant goal!

[Trim]

Bastian Schweinsteiger made headlines even before Saturday's match in Hanover, after Uli Hoeneß voiced criticism of the Germany international via the Munich press. "He needs to wake up and realise the summer fairy tale is over," the Bayern general manager was quoted as saying.

The player could hardly have given a more convincing answer to the barb with a match-winning display in Hanover, firing an excellent goal to make the score 2-1 and earn his side three vital points in the battle for a Champions League place. He also contributed to the equaliser with a crucial aerial challenge, and then cleared a Zuraw header off the line.

Backing from Hitzfeld

"It's not about me, it's about the team. That's all that matters," the 22-year-old insisted after the final whistle. He was not upset at Hoeneß's comments, he insisted. "I know what the manager's like and where he's coming from. You just have to take it the right way," he pointed out, although Schweini must have been even more determined to do well after the reported comments.

"The goal will be very important for him," Ottmar Hitzfeld commented the following day. The coach had taken Bastian to one side and pledged faith in his ability, he revealed. "I'm basically happy with the way he's come on. I don't think he's been as bad as the press have made him out to be. He played well today."

High expectations

Hitzfeld was the man who originally promoted Schweinsteiger from the reserves to the senior squad during the General's first spell at the Munich helm. "People's expectations of him are simply too high. Schweinsteiger is a gifted midfielder. He's an artist, and he needs applause." The secret was to find the right balance between praise and criticism, the coach explained.

However, Hitzfeld was not prepared to spare Schweinsteiger from criticism entirely, calling for the man capped 43 times by Germany to fulfil his undoubted potential. "He's finally scored again today. That's what we want to see from him, getting into the right positions, trying to make chances for himself and not just laying them on, getting forward with plenty of determination."

Hoeneß remains critical

And what did Hoeneß have to say afterwards? "I won't stop judging him in a critical light, until he plays an entire season the way I'd like to see it. He's still a long way from that." The Hanover match has at least taken him closer to that target.

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Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger could be out for an undetermined period with a knee problem originating from an insect bite two years ago.

The 22-year-old was ruled out of his side's 2-0 Champions League defeat to Milan last night with a swollen knee, and fears are now growing that the player may have contracted Lyme disease.

Initially, the Bayern medical department dismissed the swelling at from a harmless knock on the left knee, and Schweinsteiger underwent acupuncture, though when club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt went to administer the second bout of acupuncture treatment, it was decided it would have no effect.

"Bastian has a severe swelling of the knee," coach Ottmar Hitzfeld confirmed. "We don't know whether it will last for one, two, or three weeks. It could also be an insect bite. We have done some tests and will receive the results back next week.

[Trim]

God damn it!

[jec1]

From an insect bite????

Wow, it must be serious.

[Trim]

Bastian Schweinsteiger was playing the role of match-winner in Hanover little more than a week ago, but all that matters to the Germany international at the present time is recovering his fitness. The Bayern midfielder missed the club's meetings with AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen last week, and is not expected to make a comeback in the near future.

"He's out of contention for Saturday's match in Stuttgart," coach Ottmar Hitzfeld announced at the Säbener Strasse training ground on Monday morning. Schweinsteiger's right knee became inflamed again at the weekend, but the reasons for the problem remained shrouded in mystery.

Infection suspected

"We've made no progress yet. We're still missing a detailed diagnosis," Hitzfeld reported, although a conventional footballing injury has definitively been ruled out. "The problem is probably caused by an infection," general manager Uli Hoeneß revealed following the previous evening's 2-1 home victory over Leverkusen.

The player reported on Monday with renewed swelling in the affected area, which was again drained of excess fluid. "It's not looking any better yet," the head coach explained. Lab tests were continuing in an effort to finalise the diagnosis. "We could certainly use his presence in the run-in, but we have to be patient for now," Hitzfeld summarised.