Bayern Munich: Konrad Laimer’s injury rehabilitation is ahead of schedule

The injury issues continue to pile on for Bayern Munich. Noussair Mazraoui was the latest Bayern player to suffer injury. The Moroccan right-back was substituted midway through the first half against VfL Bochum on Sunday. Bild has reported that Mazraoui is expected to be out of action for at least three weeks due to a hamstring injury.

Tuchel doesn’t have a fit senior right-back in the squad since Sacha Boey was also ruled out for a few weeks due to injury. The German coach may have to use Joshua Kimmich in the right-back position against RB Leipzig on Saturday.

The Bavarian club does have a positive update on the recovery of Konrad Laimer. According to Bild (via iMiaSanMia), Laimer is making quick progress over the calf injury that he suffered in January. The Austrian midfielder is expected to be back in action by the start of March.

Laimer had featured in all games this season until he suffered a calf injury in January. He has consistently played in the right-back position for Tuchel. The Austrian has been consistent with his performances, so his early return will be a big boost for Rekordmeister and Tuchel.

Alphonso Davies is also closing on his return to first-team action after resuming training on the pitch this week. The Canadian full-back could feature against RB Leipzig on matchday 23 of the Bundesliga. His return to action will be welcome news for Tuchel since there is an injury crisis in the full-back positions.

Bayern may start with Raphael Guerreiro and Joshua Kimmich in the full-back positions against RB Leipzig, with Davies as an option from the bench. Since Kimmich is moving to the full-back position, Aleksandar Pavlovic will get the chance to play in the center of the midfield with Leon Goretzka.

The Bavarian club will be without Dayot Upamecano for the game against RB Leipzig. The French defender is suspended for this game after receiving the marching orders against VfL Bochum. Matthijs de Ligt and Kim Min-jae are expected to play in central defense.

In the attack, Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman are the absentees for Bayern. Bryan Zaragoza recovered from flu and made his debut in Bochum on Saturday. Thomas Tuchel will hope to get a strong reaction from the squad on Saturday against RB Leipzig. The Bavarian club is currently on a run of three defeats for the first time since 2015. Another defeat on Saturday will make Tuchel’s position untenable at Bayern.