FC Bayern Munich face the prospect of further absences: in the top-of-the-table clash against Borussia Dortmund, both Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry had to be substituted. There are fears that both could be out for an extended period – unlike Michael Olise.
Barely half an hour had passed in the top-of-the-table clash between FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and the worry lines on the faces of the FCB management are likely to have deepened considerably.
Within the space of a few minutes, two attacking players from the German record champions were forced to leave the pitch injured. First, Ismael Saibari picked up an injury. The Moroccan raced towards BVB goalkeeper Gregor Kobel on his own, but played the ball too far ahead of himself, allowing the Swiss keeper to clear it initially. Both players gave chase; Kobel got to the ball before Saibari, but in making the save he brought the player down, striking him on the right ankle.
Saibari was unable to continue; the 25-year-old was led off the pitch by medical staff in the 28th minute. No diagnosis has yet been made, but a right ankle injury is feared. Nathaniel Brown came on to replace Saibari.
Referee Tobias Stieler saw nothing wrong with the challenge between Kobel and Saibari; the 45-year-old did not blow his whistle. It was the right decision, as there was no foul by the BVB goalkeeper. “You can see quite clearly that Kobel is clearly on the ball before him,” analysed former top referee Patrick Ittrich, speaking as an expert on Sky, and concluded: “An unfortunate incident.” Particularly for Saibari, who faces the prospect of a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
Gnabry picks up an injury to his thigh
No sooner had Bayern recovered from this shock than the next bitter moment followed: just 120 seconds later, Serge Gnabry was left sitting on the ground. Judging by the footage, the international was examined on his left foot; he, too, was unable to continue. In the second half, however, Sky reported that an injury to the back of his right thigh was the reason for his substitution.
Unlike Saibari, Gnabry was at least able to leave the pitch unaided, which gives FCB officials hope that the 31-year-old will not be sidelined for too long. Josip Stanisic had to come on for Gnabry, meaning Bayern had to use two of their substitutions early on.
“Both injuries are a bit more serious”
Max Eberl was unable to provide an update on the injuries immediately after the final whistle, but the FCB sporting director fears that both Saibari – who had to leave the Arena on crutches – and Gnabry will be out for an extended period: “Both injuries are actually quite serious; whilst I can’t give a prognosis or diagnosis at this stage – that’s still to be determined – they both look quite serious.” Should these fears prove true, Eberl said, “what we’ve seen today would be very, very costly.”
FCB captain Joshua Kimmich also felt that the situations did not look “as though the two would be back in two days’ time”. In Saibari’s case in particular, Kimmich felt it “certainly didn’t look very good”.
Olise had to be substituted in the closing stages
In the second half, Michael Olise was also unable to continue. Shortly before the end of normal time, the Frenchman signalled that he needed to be substituted. Judging by the footage, the 24-year-old was struggling with muscle problems; in the 84th minute, Lennart Karl came on for him to play out the final minutes. However, there is hope that Olise won’t have to be sidelined for too long: “We don’t think it’s that bad,” Eberl said hopefully.
The personnel situation in the FCB attack therefore threatens to worsen further. With Luis Díaz (minor muscle tear) and Jamal Musiala (thigh muscle injury), Aaron Danks – who continues to stand in for Vincent Kompany – is already without two of Munich’s regulars.
Eberl: “We won’t bury our heads in the sand”
And this comes at a bad time: FC Bayern face Atlético Madrid in the Champions League as early as Tuesday (9.00 pm CET). “We won’t bury our heads in the sand; instead, we’ll travel to Madrid and try to win there,” said Eberl defiantly. However, Eberl was unable to say whether Manuel Neuer would be an option for the away match in the Spanish capital: “The doctors will try, the physios will try. I can’t say for certain yet.”