‘SCHWEINI’S FITNESS WILL BE TESTED’

Berlin: Bastian Schweinsteiger will have a key role on and off the pitch for Chicago Fire but won’t have an easy ride in Major League Soccer, warned a former Germany team-mate who played for the MLS side. The 32-year-old Schweinsteiger, a World Cup winner who spent 14 years at Bayern Munich, signed for Chicago this week after an unhappy stint at Manchester United where he was frozen out by manager Jose Mourinho. Arne Friedrich, who played for Chicago Fire from 2012 to 2013, says the midfielder can expect a hands-on role and his fitness to be sorely tested — Schweinsteiger has suffered a series of injuries in recent seasons. “In contrast to Bayern Munich or Manchester United, he will get a lot more insights into what goes on behind the scenes in Chicago,” Friedrich told the German daily Bild. Schweinsteiger, who scored 24 goals in 121 Germany appearances, kept himself fit despite a lack of chances with United, which will help in Chicago, said Friedrich.