Matchday 5 of Bayern Munich’s Champions Leauge group stage saw two of Bayern’s star players walk off the field in quick succession, as both Thiago and Arjen Robben look to sit out several games with injuries.
After 44 minutes against RSC Anderlecht, Bayern Munich midfield maestro Thiago Alcantara lay on the floor in agony. The Spaniard has an unfortunate history with leg problems during his career in Bavaria. During his first season, he was hit with two major injuries to his knee that kept him out for over a year. On Wednesday evening, a similar injury to his leg forced him to make an early exit.
While he managed to walk off the pitch, Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic and coach Jupp Heynckes confirmed that Thiago ‘most probably has a serious muscle injury in his thigh’ and that he would be out for several months.
According to Heynckes, Thiago received a slight knock during this past international break but still started at left-wing against Anderlecht. With Bayern already through to the knockout stages of the Champions League, the choice to play an already injured Thiago proved a risk that did not pay off.
Initial belief is that he will be out for up to three months, with a return in February looking like the most optimistic outcome. Thankfully Bayern’s position in Champions League Group B means that the final match against Paris Saint-Germain is strictly a formality – although should Bayern win by 4 goals or more they finish top.
Thiago’s return could hopefully coincide with the next round of the Champions League. However, the club will have to be careful due to his injury history.
Arjen Robben follows suit
Several minutes after the second half began, Arjen Robben followed suit. At his age and with his history, any knock to him has fans wincing. Angrily, he walked off the pitch and into the tunnel, but — much like Thiago — he did so without any signs of a career ending injury.
Heynckes was quick to calm down the rumors by saying that he “didn’t think it is too bad”. As expected, only a slight muscle tear will keep Robben on the bench for a very short spell. He is expected to miss Bayern’s games against ‘Gladbach and Hannover, but nothing more.
Robben’s risilience will mean that, if he is fit (which is not unlikely), he will want to play against PSG. Heynckes needs to make a sensible decision with this as he faces a difficult question. Is it worth trying to finish first when you could put a star player’s health in jeopardy?
In my opinion, no.
Next: Bayern Munich face a stern test against Borussia Monchengladbach
These injuries are less than ideal – especially a three month lay-off for Thiago. However, with Franck Ribery, Kingsley Coman and Thomas Müller all coming back soon, James performing well and Juan Bernat looking like a reasonable option on the left-wing, Bayern are not short on options for these positions. The Bavarians are already through to the next round of the Champions League and have a reasonable lead on their opponents in the Bundesliga. All things considered, this could be much worse. It is not good … but it could be worse.