Luis Díaz returns to full training with Bayern Munich, nearing comeback

Three weeks after being sidelined with a left thigh injury, Luis Díaz was back on the pitch with the rest of Bayern Munich's squad. It wasn't just any training session: it marked the first time the Colombian has worked out with his teammates since tearing muscle fibers in the Champions League match against Arsenal in late October.

The German club marked the occasion in its own way, with a short but telling message: "Takes the next step," the German champions wrote when announcing the winger's return to group training.

The international break couldn't have come at a better time. With national teams taking center stage, Díaz was able to focus on his recovery at a steadier pace, free from the pressure of immediate competition. The work appears to have paid off: everything points to the Colombian being available to play again starting next week, right when Bayern needs to defend its lead atop the Bundesliga and get back on track in the Champions League.

Still, there's no rush in Munich. Despite the optimism surrounding his return to normal training, the club would rather be cautious with the time he has left in rehab before pushing him into official matches. A muscle tear is nothing to take lightly, especially when the goal is to have him at a hundred percent for what lies ahead.

There's more good news for Bayern from the dugout: head coach Vincent Kompany, who had been sidelined with meningeal irritation, is now available to lead the team again.

With Díaz on the horizon and Kompany back, Bayern heads into its next match in much better shape than just a few days ago. The opponent will be Cologne, one of the clubs fighting near the bottom of the table, in a matchup set for Friday, November 20, for Matchday 10 of the Bundesliga. It may not be the toughest test on the schedule, but it could mark the Colombian's long-awaited return to official competition, though that will depend on how he comes through the next few training sessions.