Bayern Munich face COVID crisis ahead of Gladbach game
The winter break in the Bundesliga has ended as players have started reporting for training this week. However, the surge of COVID cases across the globe due to the new variant has also created problems for the club. Going into the first game week of 2022, Bayern Munich is facing a crisis in the squad due to coronavirus.
The defending Bundesliga champions confirmed on Tuesday that Leroy Sane and Dayot Upamecano have also tested positive for COVID. Sane is isolating in Munich, while Upamecano is isolating in Senegal. Both players have been ruled out of the game against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday.
Before this duo had tested positive for COVID, Rekordmeister had already confirmed six players testing positive for virus over the weekend. Manuel Neuer is currently isolating in the Maldives after catching the virus during the break. The French quartet of Kingsley Coman, Lucas Hernandez, Corentin Tolisso, and Tanguy Nianzou are also in quarantine. Meanwhile, Omar Richards is also set to miss the game against Gladbach on Friday due to COVID.
In case there are more cases in the squad, and Die Roten doesn’t meet the criteria to field a side on Friday, then the game against Gladbach will be postponed. Borussia Monchengladbach also has a few players on the sidelines due to the virus.
Meanwhile, Joshua Kimmich has returned to first-team training for Rekordmeister. The German midfielder suffered through severe COVID, which kept him out for most of December. Kimmich got the green light to train with his teammates this week.
Leon Goretzka remains a doubt for Friday’s game as he continues to struggle with patellar tendon problems. The German international missed the last four league games of 2021 due to this injury. He has been training individually this week, so it will be a big surprise to see him making the matchday squad on Friday.
Josip Stanisic may miss the game against Gladbach. The Croatian defender has resumed training on the pitch after recovering from a serious muscle injury. However, he still needs time to start training with the first team.
Next. Top 3 moments for Bayern in 2021. dark
Meanwhile, Sky Sports in Germany is reporting that Die Roten will not be making any signings during the winter transfer window to cope with COVID and the injury crisis. Julian Nagelsmann will be facing a challenging few weeks ahead as he looks to grind wins with a depleted squad. The German coach will have to wait at least a couple of weeks to have a complete squad for training.