Particle.news

Oberdorf Nears Full Return to Bayern After Second ACL Tear

Her cautious, staged comeback will shape Bayern Munich’s preseason load management and their push for European progress.

Overview

  • Lena Oberdorf has resumed non-contact parts of team training and said on Thursday that she expects to fully rejoin the squad by the end of the month.
  • Oberdorf reports she has "hardly any problems" with her knee but is refusing to set specific match targets as she progresses through graded contact work.
  • Coach José Barcala described a step-by-step plan to avoid overloading Oberdorf after her second anterior cruciate ligament injury in October 2025.
  • Captain Giulia Gwinn remains in rehab after a late-May shoulder operation and will miss Bayern’s upcoming Japan trip, reducing short-term squad options for friendlies and the Supercup.
  • Bayern begin a preparation program that includes an Asia trip, two warm-up matches and the Supercup on 15 August as they aim to build on last season’s domestic double and push deeper into the Champions League; Oberdorf’s recovery is central to those hopes.