Bayern Munich: Leon Goretzka set to miss start of the season
The second leg of the pre-season for the senior squad at Bayern Munich will be in the USA. The German Champions are set to play two friendlies against DC United and Manchester City. The entire squad except for Leon Goretzka left for the pre-season tour on Monday. It does look like there is more injury frustration for Goretzka as he stays back in Munich.
Bayern has confirmed that Goretzka will be staying in Munich. The German midfielder had an abnormality in his left knee. He has successfully undergone surgery to fix this issue. According to Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg, Leon Goretzka is expected to be out for six to eight weeks. Goretzka will be missing the first month of the season.
It has been frustrating the last 12 months for Goretzka. He has consistently struggled with injuries. The German international missed a big part of last season’s Ruckrunde after suffering an injury against Borussia Dortmund at the start of December.
Goretzka was relieved after returning to action at the start of April. He ended the season strongly, but things are back to square one for him. Considering his previous knee problems, the German midfielder should avoid rushing a comeback. As things stand, he should be back by the start of September.
Bayern has added more quality in the midfield department this summer, so they can manage without Goretzka for a brief period. Ryan Gravenberch has arrived from Ajax to add more dynamism to Die Roten’s midfield. The Dutch midfielder is in line to make his debut for Die Roten against DC United in the pre-season game later this week.
The German Champions went through a midfield crisis last season when the majority of senior midfielders were on the sidelines. Jamal Musiala and Marc Roca stepped up to make sure that Die Roten successfully navigated through this tough phase. Considering the hectic schedule for next season, Bayern needs all midfielders fit during the first half of the season.
Bayern is also looking to add further quality in the midfield department later this window. The German Champions want to bring Konrad Laimer from RB Leipzig to provide more options in the number six position. Leipzig wants to avoid selling another player to Die Roten, but the Austrian midfield has agreed personal terms with the German Champions.
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Meanwhile, Rekordmeister is close to completing the fourth signing of the summer. Die Roten is likely to announce the arrival of Matthijs de Ligt from Juventus on Tuesday. The Dutch midfielder arrived at Sabner Strasse on Monday evening to complete his transfer. The Bavarian club is paying a fee close to €80 million for the services of the Dutch central defender.