FC Bayern didn’t just lose two crucial points in the title race with their 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund. Far more serious are the personnel setbacks the German record champions suffered in this Bundesliga classic. No fewer than three offensive stars were injured against BVB.
Ismael Saibari, Serge Gnabry, and Michael Olise all had to be substituted due to injuries against Dortmund. In the cases of Saibari and Gnabry in particular, it immediately appeared they would be sidelined for an extended period. With Olise, at least there is still hope that the injury is less severe.
The situation is already tense. With Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz out, the team is already missing two key offensive players. The diagnoses for Saibari and Gnabry are now in, and they don’t bode well. The Moroccan has suffered a torn syndesmotic ligament and will be out for a long time; Gnabry has been diagnosed with a thigh muscle injury.
Bayern faces a 403-million-euro injury crisis
The extent of the injury crisis becomes particularly clear when looking at market values. Musiala is currently valued at 80 million euros, and Díaz at 70 million euros. Add to that Saibari at 55 million euros and Gnabry at 18 million euros.
If Olise, with his estimated market value of 180 million euros, were also to be sidelined, the total value of the five injured offensive players would amount to 403 million euros. As of now, no diagnosis has yet been made for him.
Sporting director Max Eberl expressed his concern following the Dortmund match. “What we experienced today came at a very, very high cost. Right now, it certainly feels like a lot is happening around us,” explained the 53-year-old.
The Bayern boss was already anticipating bad news, particularly regarding Saibari and Gnabry, immediately after the game. “Both injuries seem to be somewhat more serious—though I can’t give a diagnosis just yet—but they both look more serious.”
With Olise, however, there was a bit more hope. Eberl explained: “With Olise, we currently have a feeling that it’s not that bad, but it’s relatively hard to say for sure so soon after a game like that, with all the adrenaline still pumping.”
Danks will have to improvise against Atlético
Even interim coach Aaron Danks couldn’t give the all-clear immediately after the final whistle. “It’s still very early to assess the severity of the injuries. Saibari’s ankle injury looks pretty serious. Serge Gnabry appears to have a muscle injury, but I’m still waiting for more information.” That information is now in, and it comes as a shock to the record champions.
The timing of the injuries is particularly problematic. FC Bayern is set to face Atlético Madrid on the road in the Champions League as early as Tuesday.
One option would be to deploy Alphonso Davies on the left wing again. Nathaniel Brown and Tom Bischof could also step in to help out in more attacking positions.
For Danks, however, the health of his players is the top priority for now. “The most important thing right now, though, is that the guys get back to full health as quickly as possible and that we get the remaining players fit and healthy for our next game on Tuesday.”
The Munich team faces an enormous personnel challenge. Just before the Champions League showdown against Atlético, the record champions are thus facing an offensive shortage of historic proportions.