Advertisement

Fit-again Pavard could make Bayern squad against Lyon - Flick

LISBON (Reuters) - Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard has fully recovered from an ankle injury and could be part of the squad that will face Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday in the Champions League semi-finals, Bayern coach Hansi Flick said on Tuesday.

Pavard, who had an outstanding season as Bayern won the domestic league and Cup double, injured ligaments in his ankle late last month but returned to fitness quicker than expected.

He missed their sensational 8-2 demolition of Barcelona in the quarter-finals last week but has joined the team in Lisbon.

"Benjamin has worked hard in the past days and we are all happy that he is here," Flick told a news conference.

"We will wait for the final training session tonight and see. He is not an option to start but an option to be in the squad."

The Bavarians are the odds-on favourites for the title that would emulate their 2013 treble-winning season.

"We have analysed Lyon and we know their qualities," Flick said. "They have a very good defence, with a lot of players behind the ball, strong runners but also with a lot of quality in attack.

"We want to reach the final and we have to beat Lyon. It will not be easy. With Juventus and Manchester City they have taken out two co-favourites."

Lyon first eliminated Italian champions Juventus in the last 16 before a shock 3-1 victory over City last week in the quarter-finals held in Lisbon.

Paris St Germain face RB Leipzig later on Tuesday in the other semi-final.

"My team is focused. We have set big goals. But it is a game starting at 0-0 and we have to play with the same intensity as against Barca because anything less than 100 percent will just not be enough," Flick added.

(Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Christian Radnedge)