Alphonso Davies to return for Bayern Munich against Lokomotiv Moscow

Alphonso Davies will return to the Bayern Munich squad for the Champions League clash against Lokomotiv Moscow.

Head coach Hansi Flick is yet to decide whether the Canada international will start Wednesday’s home Group A encounter or begin as a substitute.

Davies, 20, has been out of action for over six weeks due to a serious ankle injury.

He has not played since being replaced in the early stages of the 5-0 Bundesliga win over Eintracht Frankfurt on October 24.

With holders Bayern already assured of first place in the group, Davies can return in a match without the usual level of pressure.

His return comes after Javi Martinez was ruled out for the foreseeable future, while Joshua Kimmich is yet to return.

“Alphonso Davies will be back in the squad on Wednesday, which is good news – very gratifying,” said Flick.

“We are planning to play him, but we have not yet decided if he will start or come off the bench.

“I’m not really worried about our midfield – alongside Leon Goretzka we will have Marc Roca, Angelo Stiller and Maximilian Zaiser in the squad.

“Corentin Tolisso trained really well on Tuesday, so he could be an option for Saturday [when Bayern play against Union Berlin], which would really help us.”

@Manuel_Neuer on the opponents: “I have studied their attack. Miranchuk and Éder stood out for me. They were good on the counter in the reverse fixture 

— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) December 8, 2020

This will be the fourth meeting between Bayern and Lokomotiv in European competition and the German champions have won two of the previous three, including a 2-1 win in Moscow in the reverse fixture.

That game tested Bayern, though, as the Russian side – who are bottom of the group – recorded more shots on target than them (six to five).

In 13 Champions League games under Flick, that is one of only four instances that has happened – last season’s Champions League final win over Paris Saint-Germain being one of the others.

Flick added: “They can play good football, especially up front. They can combine well on the ball when they have space. We need to deny them that space and stay compact.

“We do have to pay attention to [load management] but success is not something you own, it is only rented and the rent is due every day. 

“So, we are not resting. We have to do the best with the conditions that exist. We want to win the remaining four games of the year.”

Bayern drew 1-1 against Atletico Madrid in their most recent Champions League outing – a result that ended an astonishing run that had seen Flick win each of his first 12 games in charge in the competition.