It has been a positive week for Bayern Munich on the injury front. The Bavarian club has received positive updates on Matthijs de Ligt and Leroy Sane in the past 24 hours. Since World Cup is around the corner, it is crucial for players to not suffer injuries in the coming days.
Matthijs de Ligt was substituted at half-time against Mainz on Saturday due to a muscle problem. In the post-match interview, Julian Nagelsmann insisted that it was a precautionary move to bring de Ligt off, but a clear prognosis about his injury will be revealed after scans on Sunday.
According to AZ, the Dutch international can breathe a sigh of relief as the injury is not serious. He completed a recovery session with the team indoors on Sunday. However, Die Roten is not going to take a risk and rest de Ligt against Inter Milan on Tuesday. Bayern has already clinched the top spot in Group C, so they can afford to rest Matthijs de Ligt on matchday six.
After a slow start to life at Bayern, de Ligt started delivering consistent performances in the past few weeks. The Dutch defender will be frustrated with the timing of the injury, but he will be pleased to see that it is nothing more than a knock. In an ideal scenario, de Ligt should be back in the starting XI against Hertha Berlin next weekend.
In the absence of Matthijs de Ligt, Nagelsmann is likely to field a center-back pairing of Dayot Upamecano and Benjamin Pavard against Inter Milan. Pavard has done a fine job as a central defender in limited opportunities this season. Meanwhile, Upamecano has been in fine form for Die Roten over the past few weeks.
Bayern is also expected to welcome Lucas Hernandez back in training next week. The former Atletico Madrid center-back has been on the sidelines since mid-September due to an adductor injury. He is set to play at least a couple of games before going to World Cup with France.
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Die Roten is also hoping to see Leroy Sane feature against Inter Milan on Tuesday. The German winger started training with the team on Sunday. He was on the sidelines for two weeks due to a muscle injury he suffered against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
Bayern is yet to give a time frame on the return of Manuel Neuer. The German goalkeeper has not played a game since Der Klassiker at the start of October due to a shoulder injury. Despite having no clarity about his return for Die Roten, Neuer is confident about being fit for the World Cup.