Lena Oberdorf has taken a decisive step closer to her comeback with FC Bayern. Following her second ACL tear, the 24-year-old has resumed full team training. However, the German national team player does not want to take any risks upon her return.
Lena Oberdorf has once again endured a long period of hardship. After the midfielder had already recovered from one ACL tear, another serious setback followed in October. Since then, the 24-year-old has been working intensively toward her return.
Now there’s some encouraging news. Oberdorf can once again train fully with her teammates, taking the next important step on her way back to competitive play.
“It’s a lot of fun. But I haven’t tried a sliding tackle yet, because I’m still taking things a bit cautiously,” Oberdorf explained in an interview with the Münchner Merkur.
The national team player is especially enjoying her return to a normal training routine: “But it’s incredibly nice to be back with the team as usual.”
Oberdorf doesn’t want to rush anything on her comeback
It’s still unclear when Oberdorf will actually take the field again for Bayern in a competitive match. The midfielder is deliberately choosing not to set a specific date.
“I come to practice every day and do what’s agreed upon with me. That’s a good thing—it way I don’t put pressure on myself, and decisions are made together with people who really know what they’re doing,” she emphasized.
In doing so, Oberdorf is following a clear plan together with the team’s staff: the workload and intensity are to be increased step by step. After the long injury layoff, the focus is not on returning as quickly as possible, but on a sustainable comeback.
The double champions will play their first competitive match of the new season as early as August 15. In the Super Cup, FC Bayern will face VfL Wolfsburg. Whether Oberdorf will already be part of the squad against her former club remains uncertain at this time.
“I want to stay injury-free and have fun.”
Oberdorf is also deliberately striking a cautious note when it comes to her personal goals for the new season. After two serious knee injuries, a specific number of games or titles isn’t her top priority.
“I want to stay injury-free and have fun. I don’t want to put so much pressure on myself and just enjoy playing soccer again,” explained the 24-year-old.
At the same time, the long rehabilitation period has changed her perspective on the game. Oberdorf now describes herself as more mature and mindful in her decisions on the field.
“I’m not as naive anymore, especially when it comes to my decisions on the field. Which tackle do I really need to go for right now? Where do I really need to step in, and where can I take it easier?”
Especially for a player whose game has been characterized for years by intensity, toughness in one-on-one battles, and uncompromising commitment, this new approach could be of great significance. The most important step has already been taken: Oberdorf is back on the practice field with the team. Now, with the necessary “sense of proportion,” she needs to take that final step back into competitive play.