FC Bayern to hunt for Martinez replacement
Munich - FC Bayern München head coach Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the club will delve into the transfer market once more following the long-term injury suffered by Javi Martinez in the Supercup on Wednesday.
'Looking for a young player'
"He was in outstanding form and we're going to miss him a great deal," said the tactician, who also revealed that midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is set for a spell on the sidelines. "We definitely need another player - we've still got 15 days and we will react."
Guardiola has already met with members of the Bayern board to discuss potential targets, although he refused to name which players he had in mind. However, the 43-year-old ruled out asking Daniel van Buyten to come out of retirement just days after the Belgian veteran announced his decision to hang up his boots, by declaring that Bayern are "looking for a young player." A smiling Guardiola said that any new recruit would have to be "tall, quick, good in the air, versatile and cheap - but we're a little bit late to find someone like that."
On a more positive note, several first team members underwent an intensive training session on Friday - despite having a rest day - in order to improve their fitness ahead of next week's Bundesliga season opener against VfL Wolfsburg. Philipp Lahm, Thomas Müller, Mario Götze, Jerome Boateng, Arjen Robben, Dante, Claudio Pizarro and Xherdan Shaqiri were all put through their paces by Guardiola, while Franck Ribery completed an individual training program.
Schweinsteiger out of action
There was no such luck for Schweinsteiger, who faces a lengthy absence as he recovers from persistent knee trouble that plagued him last season. "At the moment all Bastian is doing is resting," Guardiola said. "He played despite carrying injuries last season, even in Brazil."
