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.

Bayern Munich sign Neuer & Rafinha

German Bundesliga giants FC Bayern Munich have signed German international goalkeeper Manuel Neuer from FC Schalke 04 and Brazilian right back Rafinha from FC Genoa 93 to strengthen their defence. After a bad season for Bayern Munich standard with a third place Bundesliga finish and no titles the Bavarians are planning to hit back next season and have realised that they need to strengthen their defence.

The defence is slowly coming together. The gap left by Oliver Kahn when he retired in 2008 seems now to be filled for years with Germany's no.1 Manuel Neuer being signed from Schalke 04 on a five year contract for a fee of 18 Million Euros which could rise to 25 Million Euros depending on the success of Bayern Munich. 37 year old Hans Joerg Butt has extended his contract by a year to be number two.

"I'm very pleased about the great and exciting challenge at Bayern," said Neuer. "A lot of colleagues in the national team will be my team-mates so I won't break completely new ground and I'll definitely adopt fast."

Right back Rafinha has been signed for a fee of 7 Million Euros from Italian side FC Genoa 93. The Brazilian brings years of Bundesliga experience with him having played like Neuer for Schalke 04.

"I'm delighted my transfer to Munich has worked out and that I'll be playing in the Bundesliga again. I hope finally to win the trophies I've been denied so far. I'll now be facing the best teams and the best players in the world, and I'm very happy," Rafinha said.

This means captain Philipp Lahm will be shifting back to the left and the club is still looking to sign a central defender. Prime candidate is German international Jerome Boateng of Manchester City, but there is a difference between the two sides valuation of the player. Manchester City are said to be demanding 20 Million Euros, while Bayern have offered 12,5 Million Euros.

Meanwhile Bayern Munich have also signed the 2.Bundesliga top scorer in Danish striker Nils Petersen from FC Energie Cottbus to have an option upfront.