THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Schweinsteiger fit to face Portugal

Bastian Schweinsteiger

The German national team has received a good news from its medical staff with less than a week to go for their UEFA EURO 2012 opener against Portugal. Star midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has been declared fit by team doctor Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt.

The Bayern star would join the full training session of the German team on Monday according to Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt. “Bastian has no problems. He has no pains. We are giving him medical treatment and we are expecting him to join the team training for the first time on Monday,” said Dr. Müller-Wohlfahrt. “Bastian has still a training deficit, but I think he will be fully fit against Portugal.”

Joachim Löw is hopeful that Schweinsteiger will be ready to face Cristiano Ronaldo & Co., but the German coach will wait till Friday before he takes a final decision on his starting eleven. Toni Kroos would be the first place replacement for Schweinsteiger, if the midfield star fails regain his match fitness.

The German team had three days off after their final preparation match against Israel on Thursday. The team will assemble in Frankfurt on Monday, before they fly to Danzig on a Lufthansa flight. The Germans will stay at the “Dwor Oliwski” hotel nearby Danzig.

Löw has scheduled a first training session in Poland for Monday evening with a total of 10,000 fans expected to attend the session.