Bayern Munich's pre-season injury problems

German giants FC Bayern Munich after two seasons without a title are preparing for a season in which the Bavarians can lift at least one trophy after only finishing second last season in three competitions - UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup. The main aim is to win back the Bundesliga title, which in the last couple of years has been won by Borussia Dortmund.

The club has brought in a number of players to strengthen the overall squad, but now weeks into the pre-season there are injury worries to numerous players which has weakened the team. The latest to join the casualty list were Mario Gomez and Bastian Schweinsteiger over the weekend at the Liga Total Cup in Hamburg after injuries to David Alaba, Rafinha, Diego Contento and Claudio Pizarro.

Especially the injury to Mario Gomez could hit the club hard, then last season he scored 26 goals just alone in the Bundesliga. The striker is out with a foot injury and could miss upto three Bundesliga games. A potential replacement in seasoned Claudio Pizarro, who returned to Munich, is also out with hip problems leaving new Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic alone upfront.

Midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is hoping for a better second half to the year 2012 after numerous injuries and failures, but again the Germany star is out with muscular problems. It is not known when he will be back.

Further the three side-backs David Alaba, Rafinha and Diego Contento are out. Young Alaba suffered a fatigue fracture, Rafinha has torn his ligaments while Diego Contento has bone problems.

All these injuries are forcing coach Jupp Heynckes to try out new combinations, then over the weekend Bayern Munich will face Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup and then the Bundesliga kicks-off a week later.