Bayern Munich: Sadio Mane facing race against time to play against PSG
The next couple of weeks is crucial for Bayern Munich in terms of building momentum before the big game against Paris Saint-Germain on February 14. Julian Nagelsmann needs to get the team in good form before the trip to Paris.
Nagelsmann may have to prepare for the game against PSG without Sadio Mane. The Senegalese winger has started training on the pitch in the past few days, but Sport1 is reporting that he will need three weeks to be back in action. Mane is facing a race against time to be fit for such a crucial game.
Sadio Mane has been on the sidelines since November. He suffered a serious injury to his tibia during the win against Werder Bremen. The 30-year-old striker was initially part of Senegal’s squad for World Cup 2022, but he was eventually ruled out of the tournament.
The former Liverpool forward underwent surgery at the end of November and started the recovery process in Munich. Mane was reportedly ruled out for three months. He was hopeful about returning in time for the game against PSG, but he may need slightly more time to be fit. The Senegalese forward could make his return against Borussia Monchengladbach on February 18.
Sadio Mane missing the first leg against PSG will be a big blow for Bayern. He has the habit of scoring in big games, so Die Roten will heavily miss the Senegalese forward. However, the record Bundesliga champions cannot afford another injury setback by rushing Mane back into action.
There is still a glimmer of hope for Mane to be fit for the game against PSG, but few other Bayern players have already been ruled out for this big Champions League game. Noussair Mazraoui still needs four to five weeks to start training, so he may end up missing both legs against PSG.
Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer have been already ruled out for the rest of the season. Hernandez ruptured the cruciate knee ligament at the start of World Cup 2022. Neuer broke his leg in a freak accident during a ski trip in November.
Next. Hoeness pessimistic about Harry Kane transfer. dark
Want your voice heard? Join the Bayern Strikes team!
Bayern and Nagelsmann will hope to see other players step up in the absence of injured players. A positive result in Paris will give Bayern a big advantage before hosting the French team at Allianz Arena in March. Before turning the entire focus on the game against PSG, Nagelsmann needs to get Bayern’s Bundesliga campaign back on track. They also have a knockout DFB Pokal game against Mainz next week.