Ulreich back for Bayern trip to Stuttgart

Dec 15, 2017 - 2:10 PM Bayern Munich can call on deputy goalkeeper Sven Ulreich once more when they travel to VfB Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.

"Sven Ulreich will play in goal tomorrow," coach Jupp Heynckes confirmed to a news conference on Friday.

Former Stuttgart keeper Ulreich has missed the last two games with an adductor injury while first-choice Manuel Neuer is out with a broken foot. Tom Starke, the 36-year-old veteran who had announced his retirement retired in May, can now return to the bench as cover.

"I know that is not an unimportant game for him," Heynckes said of 29-year-old Ulreich, who spent eight seasons at Stuttgart from 2008.

Franck Ribery is set to be rested and Kingsley Coman has a minor hip problem. Juan Bernat can return to the squad from injury but Heynckes said the match has come too soon for Dutch winger Arjen Robben.

Five-time reigning champions Bayern already lead the table by nine points going into the match at promoted Stuttgart, who are in danger of being drawn back into the relegation battle after a promising start.

"It will be another tough game," said Heynckes. "I have spent a lot of time analysing them."

The match also serves as a build-up to Wednesday's last-16 German Cup tie with Dortmund - the latest in a long list of knockout duels with the only serious long-term challenger to Bayern's dominance.

"If we don't win against Stuttgart, we will go into the last week with a certain frustration - and we definitely don't want that in any way ahead of the cup game with Borussia," said Thomas Mueller.

With another league title beginning to look inevitable, eliminating even a weakened Dortmund in the cup would open the path to a domestic double.

And from there, a final step in the Champions League remains to a 2018 treble - though the treble coach of 2013 is not getting carried away.

"Wonders don't happen so often," Heynckes warned. "I don't think that far [ahead], that would be presumptuous."

Source: AAP