Lena Oberdorf made an emotional return for Bayern Munich after a 316-day injury absence. The midfielder was substituted on in the 71st minute of Bayern's 2-0 home win over Mainz, having suffered her second ACL tear in October 2025.
How did Oberdorf's return unfold?
Her first appearance in over ten months was filled with palpable relief. Oberdorf confirmed to Bild Sport how moving the moment was for her. "I was a bit emotional when I came on, I had a few tears in my eyes, I had to pull myself together briefly," said the Germany international. On the pitch, she immediately showed good actions and even had a shot on goal, though she did not score. Her comeback came in the 38th minute of Bayern's 44th consecutive Bundesliga match without defeat, further evidence of the team's strong phase, reflected in the standings.
What injuries did Oberdorf have to overcome?
The road back was long and demanding. Oberdorf suffered her first ACL tear in July 2024, which also ruled her out of the Olympic Games. Shortly after returning, the next setback followed with the second serious knee injury in October 2025. These 316 days out from her last competitive match until the Mainz game presented an immense mental and physical hurdle. Her joy at finally being back in competition was clearly visible. "It's an indescribable feeling. It's incredibly beautiful to be back with the team, to play a game that matters. I really missed it," she described her emotions.
Who else returned from injury?
Oberdorf was not the only player celebrating a comeback on this matchday. Giulia Gwinn also returned to the squad after a shoulder injury and was visibly moved by her teammate's return. Gwinn stated she got goosebumps watching Oberdorf take to the field. These parallel returns strengthen Bayern Munich's squad at a time when every player is important. The current personnel situation can be tracked on our squad page.
What does the return mean for Bayern?
The return of a player of Lena Oberdorf's caliber is a major boost for any team. Her physical presence and game intelligence in defensive midfield were sorely missed last season. Her comeback comes at the right time to support the team in the decisive phase of the season. The coach and teammates can now draw on a broader base, which is very valuable for the upcoming tasks in the league and cup. The next opportunity to prove themselves comes next weekend. You can find the exact date of the next match on our fixtures page.
With Oberdorf's return, Bayern Munich regains a central figure who played 24 league games last season, scoring three goals.
