Bundesliga
Hernandez "feeling good" after making Bayern debut
French World Cup winner Lucas Hernandez enjoyed his first minutes of action in a Bayern Munich shirt on Thursday as he made his debut in a friendly against amateur side FC Rottach-Egern. The defender is "close to one hundred per cent" with a week to go until the start of the 2019/20 Bundesliga season.
It was the perfect first footballing steps in the red of Bayern for Hernandez, as the 23-year-old completed 45 minutes of Bayern’s 23-0 win over Rottach-Egern. Hernandez played alongside fellow countryman Benjamin Pavard for the second half of Bayern’s final pre-season game of the summer.
"I feel very good, have no complaints and I’m in good physical shape," said Hernandez after the match. "Step-by-step I’m building momentum. I’m close to 100 hundred per cent."
Watch: Bayern ran riot in Rottach-Egern
Hernandez joined Bayern from Atletico Madrid this summer, but underwent surgery on his right knee in March. Since then he has been going through intensive rehabilitation to ensure his return to action in time for the start of the 2019/20 season.
"I'm working hard to soon play my first competitive match," said Hernandez. "Maybe it’ll be enough for the game on Monday."
Bayern’s first competitive game of the season will indeed be on Monday, when the DFB Cup champions begin the defence of their crown with a trip to Energie Cottbus in the fourth tier of German football.
"Lucas is a top player, you can see that not only from his mentality and attitude," said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic. "He’s one who can lead a team. I’m very happy that he has joined the team now."
The versatile defender will be looking to gain his first minutes of competitive action in the first round of the DFB Cup on Monday, before Bayern open the 2019/20 Bundesliga season as defending champions by hosting Hertha Berlin on Friday 16 August.