FC Bayern is currently going through an exceptionally difficult phase. Although the record German champions remain undefeated this season, the team continues to face one setback after another. In addition to numerous injuries, health issues and personal tragedies are also taking a toll on the club. Following the 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund, sporting director Max Eberl responded to the current situation with strong words.
The list of problems is long. Coach Vincent Kompany remains sidelined due to illness, while Jamal Musiala is fighting his way back from injury. Joshua Kimmich recently had to cope with the death of his father. Added to this are the absences of Manuel Neuer and Luis Díaz.
In the Bundesliga classic against Dortmund, the personnel situation worsened significantly once again. With Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry, two attacking players had to be substituted due to injury as early as the first half. Michael Olise also went down in the closing stages. In light of these developments, the on-field challenges are increasingly taking a back seat.
Eberl: “We’re talking about really serious matters”
In an interview with ZDF after the Dortmund game, Eberl was asked how a team copes with such setbacks.
The 53-year-old made it clear just how extraordinary the current strain is for the entire club. “The team can handle this, and we as a group, as a club, have been coping with it in an incredible way so far. Just let the list sink in—every viewer at home can do that, too. Then you’ll know what this does to a soccer team.”
Eberl emphasized that the current problems go far beyond the usual difficulties faced by a soccer team. “We’re not talking here about a pulled muscle, a yellow card, or a last-minute goal against; we’re talking about truly serious matters—health issues and serious personal tragedies affecting families.”
The sporting director was referring in particular to the health issues faced by Kompany and Musiala, as well as the personal tragedy that has befallen Kimmich.
After the Dortmund game, the national team player had spoken publicly about his father’s death and explained how important the support from the club and his teammates had been to him over the past few days.
Bayern must continue to stick together
Despite the difficult circumstances, Eberl was impressed by how the team has handled the setbacks so far. “And that’s on top of the injuries we’re dealing with. These are the issues we’re currently grappling with, but we’ve handled them very well so far, and we just have to keep our heads up, pick ourselves back up, and put these things behind us.”
These statements show that club officials aren’t viewing the current situation solely from a sporting perspective.
While results are still expected on the field, human and health-related issues are also currently a focus within the club.
On the field, the Munich team has performed with remarkable consistency despite all the difficulties. Even after the 2-2 draw against Dortmund, the record champions remain undefeated this season.
However, the challenges in the coming days won’t get any easier. The next demanding task awaits as early as Tuesday with the Champions League away match at Atlético Madrid.