Bayern Munich faces a tough challenge as two of their top defenders, Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano, have both suffered serious injuries during international matches.
Davies Out for the Season
Star left-back Alphonso Davies has torn the cruciate ligament in his right knee. He picked up the injury while playing for Canada in their 2-1 victory over the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League. Bayern confirmed that Davies will be out for “several months,” likely ruling him out for the rest of the season.
Upamecano Also Sidelined
Central defender Dayot Upamecano is expected to be out for “several weeks” due to a knee injury. He suffered the problem after playing both legs of France’s quarterfinal win over Croatia in the UEFA Nations League.
Club Reaction
Bayern’s board member for sport, Max Eberl, expressed his disappointment: “During international breaks, there’s always a risk of injuries, but this time we’ve been hit especially hard. The absence of Davies and Upamecano is a big blow for us.” He added that the team will need to stick together and fight on. “We still have the quality to chase our big goals,” Eberl said.
Opportunity for Other Players
With Davies and Upamecano out, Bayern may rely more on defender Kim Min-jae, who has just returned to training after recovering from an Achilles injury. This situation could also open the door for players like center back Eric Dier, left-back Raphael Guerreiro, and versatile defender Hiroki Ito to step up and get more game time.
Upcoming Fixtures
Bayern Munich will take on St. Pauli in the Bundesliga this Saturday. After that, they have a huge challenge ahead as they face Inter Milan in the quarterfinals of the Champions League next month. The team will need to adjust quickly and stay strong in the face of these setbacks.