Lewandowski to play through pain barrier: Bayern

Robert Lewandowski is set to play despite a bruised rib while Leon Goretzka and Niklas Süle are set to make their comeback from injury when Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich visit high flying Freiburg on Saturday.

World Footballer of the Year Lewandowski suffered the injury in Poland's 2-0 mid-week win against Sweden to qualify for the World Cup, and Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann said Friday it will probably not stop him from playing.

"Robert is someone who always wants to play and he has a very high pain tolerance. I expect him to be in the squad," Nagelsmann said.

But with a Champions League quarter-final first leg match coming up against Villarreal, Nagelsmann also said that "we're not going to take any risks, we want to have him fit on Wednesday."

Midfielder Goretzka and defender Süle are also to get playing time ahead of the trip to Spain, with Goretzka sidelined for four months with a knee injury and Süle for several weeks with a hamstring tear.

"Leon Goretzka has a bit of a reaction in his hip, but otherwise he's trained really well and I'd happily let him play," Nagelsmann said.

The coach also said that full back Alphonso Davies should be fit to play again after heart problems a week later for the second leg against Villarreal.

Davies remains on the sidelines for now, and so is forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting who has contracted the coronavirus, and midfielder Joshua Kimmich whose partner is expecting their third child. But Nagelsmann wouldn't rule out Kimmich being available on short notice.

Nagelsmann said he would not rest players in the league where Bayern are six points ahead of Borussia Dortmund who host number four Leipzig later on Saturday.

"We have a good squad and we have to control the players' workloads. At the same time, we need to keep our foot on the gas," he said.

Bayern have not lost against Freiburg since 2015 but Nagelsmann is taking nothing for granted and heaped praise on the club and their long-serving coach Christian Streich.

"They still have this sweet image," he said. "They are not nervous at the club. The overall structure is consistent. They have also developed the talent to play for results."

Nagelsmann did not want to be drawn into a debate on Freiburg defender Nico Schlotterbeck who has developed into a national team player amid speculation he could be a target for Munich who lose Süle to Dortmund in summer.

"Nico Schlotterbeck is a very good player for Freiburg and the national team. He has made a great development," Nagelsmann said.