Midfielder Leon Goretzka and winger Leroy Sané took part in the Bayern Munich training on Monday ahead of the Champions League opener against Dinamo Zagreb.
Goretzka hasn't been included in the squad for recent matchdays after the club reportedly failed to sell him during the summer transfer window.
However, Bayern said on Monday that defender Sacha Boey will be out "for several weeks" due to a meniscus tear in his left knee. Therefore, coach Vincent Kompany could probably welcome Goretzka back for Tuesday's home game against Zagreb.
"We have options. We'll think about it again tonight. It's a quick turnaround. We don't have much time. It's a shame for Sacha. We was in good form. We hope he comes back quickly," Kompany said in a news conference on Monday.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer stressed that Goretzka "has always been an important part of things. I believe in him. He's completely motivated. You see that in every training session. I'm convinced his time will come."
Sané, meanwhile, is hoping to make his comeback after struggling with groin issues throughout the past season and undergoing an operation following Euro 2024.
The Champions League will premier a new format this season, in which 36 teams will compete in one single league phase instead of the long-established group stage format, featuring eight pools of four teams.
Teams will be ranked together and each club will play eight matches. The top eight teams automatically qualify for the last 16, while the teams that finish between ninth and 24th will compete in a new knock-out phase play-off.
"It's new for all of us, like the league starting," Neuer said.
"We've got very good opponents in the league phase. The start will be very important. That's helped us in the league and the (German) Cup. We're full of confidence after four wins. We want to take that momentum into the Dinamo game," he added.
Kompany says fans 'candream' of home final
This season's Champions League final will be hosted at Bayern's Allianz Arena - just like in the 2011-2012 season.
Back then, Bayern reached the final but the dream turned into nightmare as they were defeated by Chelsea on penalties.
But Kompany said that the fans can dream of another final at home.
"There's the dream for the fans. They can dream. The main thing for me is what we do on the pitch. We've got a tough game tomorrow. The important thing is that we play well tomorrow and win. We hope the fans can dream for a long time," he said.
Neuer added: "At the end of the day, the important thing is that the final is in Munich and we want to be there. We're excited to get started."
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