Robert Lewandowski will not be joining Bayern in Qatar for winter training camp

Per a new report by Bild, Robert Lewandowski will not be joining the rest of the Bayern Munich squad on their annual trip to Qatar for their winter training camp as preparations for the Rückrunde begin. The striker had a minor operation on his groin immediately after Bayern’s 2-0 win over VfL Wolfsburg to close out the Hinrunde. He was fitted with a specialized plastic mesh to help stabilize the area where an incision was made, and he was able to be with his family for Christmas.

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It was originally planned by Hansi Flick and Bayern’s staff that Lewandowski would be ready on time to join the rest of the squad in Qatar, but the club has decided to have him stay in Munich to train. In addition to Kingsley Coman, Javi Martínez, and Niklas Sule, Lewandowski will work with a team of rehab coaches and physiotherapists at Säbener Strasse. The training and rehab for the quartet is scheduled to start on Tuesday after they are all set to arrive back in Munich on Monday.

Despite the minor setback, Bayern is still confident that both Lewandowski and Coman will be available for the opening match of the Rückrunde against Hertha Berlin on January 19 at the Olympiastadion. Sule and Martínez are also scheduled for comebacks in the Rückrunde, though Sule’s timetable is much longer than Martínez’s. Lucas Hernández is also expected to return at some point during the second half of the season.