Injured a calf on Wednesday evening with Bayern against Union Berlin (1-0 victory), Austrian international Konrad Laimer should be absent between six and eight weeks, German media said on Thursday.
The match against Union Berlin cost Bayer Munich dearly. Certainly, Manuel Neuer’s teammates won 1-0 to come within four points of Bayer Leverkusen after 18 days, but two key players in Thomas Tuchel’s defensive system, the Frenchman Dayot Upamecano, also went out with injury.
On Wednesday evening, Bayern indicated that Dayot Upamecano was suffering from a muscle tear in the back of his left thigh. His absence will be counted in weeks and not days, indicated Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel. The Munich technician was also worried about Laimer. According to the German press, the Austrian would be absent between six and eight weeks, which could deprive him of the round of 16 of the Champions League against Lazio Rome (first leg on February 14 and return on March 5), as well as the shocks Bundesliga against Bayer Leverkusen (February 10) and RB Leipzig two weeks later.
Still according to the German press, Upamecano should be away from the field for the next two to three weeks, and should notably miss the round of 16 first leg of the C1 in Rome and the trip to Leverkusen. Furthermore, injured in the left shoulder during an aerial duel against Union Berlin, Joshua Kimmich should miss Saturday’s match (3:30 p.m.) in Augbsourg. The Munich defensive sector was weakened in the summer of 2023, with the departures of Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan), Lucas Hernandez (Paris SG) and Josip Stanisic (loaned to Leverkusen). In addition, the South Korean Kim Min-jae and the Moroccan Noussair Mazraoui are retained with their selections until early or mid-February.
Bayern are looking to strengthen their defense, and have brought in Englishman Eric Dier. The Kieran Trippier track was abandoned, explained sports director Christoph Freund on Wednesday evening, speaking to broadcaster Sky. Asked if he still had hope of bringing in Paris SG defender Nordi Mukiele, Christoph Freund replied “Yes”.