The Bundesliga classic against Borussia Dortmund is turning into a real injury nightmare for FC Bayern. After Ismael Saibari had to be substituted due to injury in the first half, another Munich attacker went down just a few minutes later. Serge Gnabry was also unable to continue the match.
The German national team player had to receive treatment on the field after about 30 minutes. Gnabry was apparently having problems with his left foot and needed assistance from the medical staff.
It quickly became clear that the 31-year-old would not be able to continue. Interim coach Aaron Danks was thus forced to make his second injury-related substitution in a very short time. Josip Stanisic came on for Gnabry.
Bayern loses two offensive players in a matter of minutes
The record champions had already suffered a bitter setback earlier in the match. Saibari apparently injured his knee in a challenge with Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
The Moroccan initially tried to continue playing, but had to be substituted in the 29th minute.
Particularly concerning: Saibari was unable to leave the field on his own and had to be supported by two Bayern staff members. The attacking player then headed straight into the locker room.
Shortly afterward, another blow struck the Munich team. Gnabry, too, was unable to continue playing after receiving treatment.
As a result, FC Bayern lost two players from its starting offensive lineup within just a few minutes.
The extent of the two players’ injuries is not yet known.
Bayern are running out of attacking players
For the Munich team, this double injury blow comes at the worst possible time.
Even before the classic match against Borussia Dortmund, the team’s roster situation was already tight. With Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz out, two key offensive players have been sidelined for quite some time.
If Saibari and Gnabry are now also sidelined for an extended period, the situation up front would become even more dire.
On top of that, captain Manuel Neuer is also unavailable due to his ongoing foot problems.
For Danks, who continues to stand in for the ailing Vincent Kompany on the sidelines, personnel planning is thus becoming increasingly complicated.