The former Dortmund attacker has returned to the training pitch and seems ready to feature against the Catalans wearing a protective mask
Jerome Boateng is confident that Robert Lewandowski will be available for the first leg of Bayern Munich’s Champions League semi-final tie with Barcelona on Wednesday.
The Poland international picked up a concussion, fractured jaw and broken nose in his side’s DFB Pokal semi-final defeat against Borussia Dortmund last week and it seemed unlikely that he would feature at Camp Nou.
However, the 26-year-old resumed regular training on Monday wearing a mask and Boateng is hopeful that the striker will make the trip to Catalunya.
“Lewandowski made a very good impression,” the centre-half said at a press conference. “We hope Robert will put in a great performance on Wednesday.
“He is very brave and hopeful he can get used to the mask before Wednesday’s game.
“You can adjust your game a bit and change the way you move, approach the ball and control it when wearing a mask.”
Lewanmaski? @lewy_official is back training again, wearing a mask following his facial injuries. #FCBFCB pic.twitter.com/01QR8JaLYP
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) May 4, 2015
Meanwhile, Boateng admitted that whether Lewandowski is fit or not, he and his fellow defenders will need as much help as possible from those in front of them in order to try to contain Barcelona’s prolific front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar.
“We have an exceptional storm coming toward us,” he added. “We want to prevent them from getting their wheels in motion.
“It’s not just the defence, we have to defend with the whole team against Barcelona.”