Manuel Neuer's imminent return signals Bayern Munich's goalkeeping dilemma

Neuer has been sidelined since last winter after suffering a significant leg injury during a ski trip following his duty with the German national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

During Neuer's absence, Sven Ulreich has admirably stepped into the role of Bayern's custodian, while the club secured the services of Yann Sommer from Borussia Monchengladbach to finish the remainder of the season.

As per the latest update from Kicker's Georg Holzner, if all goes as planned for Bayern and Neuer, the upcoming Bundesliga clash against SC Freiburg could be the last match he misses. The seasoned goalkeeper is expected to return to action on 21 October when Bayern face Mainz after the international break. Neuer is utilizing the break to ensure he is in peak condition, with his previously injured leg causing him no discomfort.

According to reports from Bild, Neuer recently completed a rigorous 70-minute training session alongside Daniel Peretz at Sabener Straße, demonstrating no signs of pain. This suggests that the Bayern shot-stopper is inching closer to regaining his full fitness, a development that is sure to delight Bayern fans.

Meanwhile, Raphaël Guerreiro also engaged in a light training session, aiming to earn a spot in Thomas Tuchel's starting line-up, particularly after his impressive performance in the recent 2-2 draw against RB Leipzig.

However, even with Neuer's imminent return, Tuchel faces a conundrum in selecting his starting goalkeeper. Following the Mainz match in the Bundesliga, Bayern confront Galatasaray in the Champions League and then Darmstadt before a crucial DFB-Pokal encounter against FC Saarbrücken. This Pokal match could provide an opportunity for either Peretz or Ulreich to showcase their skills between the posts, adding to the coach's selection headache.

The return of Neuer brings a ray of hope to Bayern Munich, who have sorely missed their captain's commanding presence in goal. As the Bundesliga title race intensifies, Tuchel's goalkeeper selection will undoubtedly play a crucial role in Bayern's pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts.

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