Gnabry could return for Bayern in Champions League opener against Bodø

Serge Gnabry could feature for Bayern Munich for the first time since April in their Champions League opener at home to Norway's Bodø/Glimt on Thursday.

The winger suffered an adductor muscle tear in his right leg towards the end of last term, missing Germany's World Cup campaign and the conclusion and start of Bayern's seasons.

"With Serge Gnabry we have to see and speak after training - there's a possibility he could be involved. We want to be sure that he feels his best, though," coach Vincent Kompany told a news conference on Wednesday. 

"The main thing is that we've not forgotten how good he was last season."

Jamal Musiala, whose beginning to the season was impacted by suffering from absence seizures in two warm-up games, could also be involved. 

The coach added: "Jamal Musiala has played some minutes now but is still being built up. He's felt good since being back training with the team. We're as close to possible to normality, but we also need to be patient."

The first matchday of the league phase is being spread over three days rather than two, meaning Bayern have a rare Thursday outing. 

Banana skin

Bodø stunned Manchester City, Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan in last season's competition and Bayern are aware of the potential banana skin - but have bigger aims.

"Bodø/Glimt is a great story for football. The more you analyse them, the more you realize that it all makes sense. Every player can run a lot, every player wants to defend and press. They have a clear idea and the players follow that idea clearly," Kompany said.

"Bayern are one of the clubs who always have the aim of winning the title at the start of the season. The focus for now is just on Bodø/Glimt, but I think it's always good to clearly state goals. My priority now is on winning tomorrow, and we want to put everything into that."

Manuel Neuer was also in the press conference, which would suggest he will start against the Norwegians rather than Jonas Urbig, who is set to be Bayern's German Cup keeper.

In what could be his final Champions League season before possible retirement, the 40-year-old Neuer said: "I'm going into the season with all the possible aims we can achieve. We have the potential, which is also a reason I continued. It would mean everything to me personally to win the Champions League a third time.

"It's our big goal to be Champions League winners."

Bayern also take on fellow Norwegians Viking Stavanger later in the league phase.

Neuer added: "They've got something about them. The fact we're playing against both teams in the Champions League with Bodø/Glimt and Viking has never happened before and is something special. It's a testament to Norwegian football and the league."