World champion returns:Boateng happy and fired up after comeback

Pool, sauna, massage: after 68 intense minutes against Gladbach Jérôme Boateng reported for regeneration therapy on Sunday morning. “I was very happy to be out on the pitch again,” reported FCB's defensive pillar, who had been sidelined for more than three months. “But it's clear that I'm not yet back at the level I had before the injury. It was too early for the full 90 minutes.”

Boateng turned in a decent overall display as the pivot between Serdar Tasci and Mehdi Benatia in the 1-1 draw against Gladbach. The centre-back topped the stats by winning 67 percent of his tackles. “His movements were good, he played good vertical passes,” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge observed from the stands. Boateng showed that he is an option for the return against Atlético. “He's ready. But I don't know what starting line-up the coach will opt for.”