[Photo from – bavarianfootballworks]
As Bayern Munich was finding their groove, they were hit yet again by the injury bug.
Raphaël Guerreiro, who was deployed in central midfield during Saturday’s Bundesliga fixture against VfB Stuttgart, had to be substituted off after only 16 minutes due to an apparent ankle injury sustained while blocking a shot from Angelo Stiller.
This setback comes at a crucial juncture for Bayern, with the second leg of their Champions League semifinal tie against Real Madrid looming just days away, to be played in Spain.
Although Guerreiro didn’t start in the first leg, his early departure forces an unplanned substitution, with Leon Goretzka stepping in.
Guerreiro, in his debut season at Bayern after joining from Borussia Dortmund on a free transfer, has faced intermittent spells in the lineup. Nonetheless, he had been showcasing his versatility and impact, notably excelling in midfield and even on the left wing in the latter part of the season.
The potential absence of the 30-year-old poses a challenge for coach Thomas Tuchel’s tactical options against Madrid. Further updates are awaited from the club regarding Guerreiro’s condition, with the fitness of defender Eric Dier also under scrutiny.
Bayern Munich Injury Update: Despite having little at stake in the Bundesliga, manager Thomas Tuchel opted for a moderately rotated lineup in the weekend fixture. Unfortunately, this decision seems to have backfired as Raphael Guerreiro, a starter in the match, had to exit the field after just 16 minutes due to injury. While the severity of his injury remains uncertain, his availability for the clash against Real Madrid is now in question.