Alaba Boost for Bayern ahead of Liverpool Clash

David Alaba and Kingsley Coman are back in the Bayern Munich squad ahead of today’s UEFA Champions League clash with Liverpool, Manager Niko Kovac confirmed yesterday.

Bayern and Liverpool played out a 0-0 draw in the opening leg, which took place at Anfield on February 20.

Alab is set to return after irritating a tendon issue and has missed two matches.

The defender has played 23 Bundesliga and six Champions League matches this season, and Kovac believes Alaba whose parents are Nigerians is ready to contribute on Wednesday (today).

“So far, I assume he’s ready to go,” the Bayern Munich boss said.

Coman, 22, on the other hand has missed each of Bayern’s last two matches as he’s battled a hamstring issue.

He has dealt with a number of knee issues throughout his Bayern career, and even hinted in December that he could retire if he was hit with another serious injury.

However, the recent hamstring issue proved not to be serious and he will be ready for Wednesday’s match.

“He (Coman) handled the maximum load in training on Monday, so he is fit,” Kovac told reporters ahead of the game yesterday.

“I’m very happy. That gives us an alternative, one more dimension.”

Kovac added that “we have to look” at whether Coman was fit to start or would be more capable with coming off the bench in a more limited role.

Kovac sees Wednesday’s clash as a “highlight game” against the “cream of world football”, as Bayern look to seal a spot in the Champions League’s quarter-final round.

Bayern have reached that quarter-final round in each of the last eight seasons, last falling in the Round of 16 in 2012 to Inter.

In the Bundesliga, they currently sit first in the table as they compete with Borussia Dortmund for the top spot.

Bayern maintain a lead on goal difference, with 35 compared to Dortmund’s 33, as the club prepares to take on Mainz on Sunday following the conclusion of their Champions League tie against Liverpool.