Berlin (AFP) – Germany defender Jerome Boateng was delighted to make his comeback on Saturday after shoulder surgery on a red-letter day for Bayern Munich, who went 10 points clear in the Bundesliga.
Robert Lewandowki netted twice in a 3-0 win at home to Eintracht Frankfurt at the Allianz Arena to leave Bayern with 28 goals from their last six games.
The 28-year-old Boateng, a 2014 World Cup winner with Germany, came off the bench for the final 25 minutes having been sidelined for 108 days following surgery last December.
“It was an unbelievable feeling to be on the pitch again today,” said Boateng.
“I’ve worked hard for it. I want to thank the team and my family.
“I am really happy and hope that I can play without injury until the end of the season.”
Boateng, who has made 67 appearances for Germany, made his first few minutes of football in 2017 count, touching the ball 30 times with 28 passes.
“I still need to find my rhythm, but I want to help the team.”
Boateng’s return boosts the German giants, who are also well-placed to complete a treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup titles.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Bayern are on course to claim a fifth straight German league title in the Italian’s first season in charge, having reached the Champions League’s quarter-finals and the German Cup’s last four.
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