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Per a new report from Bild, it looks like Benjamin Pavard could be fit on time for Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final clash against Lyon in Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday. The French defender had suffered an ankle injury in training three weeks ago and it was initially understood that he would face four to six weeks on the sideline, but he’s made remarkably quick progress in his recovery.
When the rest of the squad had traveled to Portugal last week, Pavard had stayed behind in Munich to continue his rehabilitation and recovery regiment, but Bayern’s progression to the semi-finals of the competition has given him an opportunity for a return to action. He flew to Portugal on Thursday along with Herbert Hainer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge ahead of Bayern’s emphatic 8-2 trouncing of Barcelona.
He was put through the paces during an individual training session run by fitness coach Dr. Holger Broich. The session included shooting, passing, jumping, and speed drills all designed to ensure he could handle the weight on his injured foot. He also worked on playing precision passes to Dr. Broich with both feet, which he passed (no pun intended) with flying colors. Everything during the session was designed to replicate match speed and sharpness, so it’s a very good sign that Pavard was able to complete the session without having any problems.
With how sharp he looked, he’ll certainly be in contention to make the match sheet on Wednesday against Lyon. Whether or not Hansi Flick will choose to thrust him right into the starting lineup is an entirely different question, but will likely be gauged by how things go Monday and Tuesday during the training sessions. Joshua Kimmich has filled in at right back in Bayern’s two matches since Pavard’s injury, and that’s likely what would happen again if Pavard isn’t able to start. Otherwise, his presence at right back in the starting lineup would push Kimmich back to the midfield and perhaps see Thiago Alcantara get relegated to the bench to start with.