FC Bayern continues to exercise special caution with Vincent Kompany and Jamal Musiala. Both are on their way back to normal training and match play following their health issues. Now the Munich club has made another decision: Neither the head coach nor the star forward will participate in the traditional fan club visits on November 22.
As reported by BILD, neither Kompany nor Musiala appears on this year’s list of participants. The reason, according to the report, is the health situation of both players. The record champions want to avoid unnecessary strain and allow their two key players additional time to recover.
The fan club visits have been a long-standing tradition at FC Bayern for 41 years now. This year, too, numerous players and club officials will travel to Germany, Austria, and South Tyrol to spend time with the fans. However, two prominent figures will be missing.
Kompany is to be given time to recover following his collapse
In Kompany’s case, the decision is directly related to his health crisis on October 23. The 40-year-old collapsed at the training facility on Säbener Straße and subsequently had to be hospitalized for six days.
The cause was determined to be meningitis. After his discharge, he underwent a prolonged recovery period with medication.
The Belgian has since returned to Säbener Straße. According to BILD, Kompany is set to lead his first press conference again this coming Thursday and return to the bench for the Bundesliga home game against 1. FC Köln on November 20.
However, the Bayern coach is still dealing with the aftermath of his collapse. During the fall, he dislocated his left shoulder. Kompany is currently wearing a sling and undergoing appropriate rehabilitation.
The decision to skip the fan club visit is therefore intended to prevent the 40-year-old from putting additional strain on himself immediately after his comeback.
Bayern Also Exempt Musiala from Duty
The club’s officials don’t want to take any risks with Jamal Musiala either.
The 23-year-old suffered two fainting spells during summer training, which were attributed to so-called “absences” related to a neurological dysfunction.
Most recently, the attacking player also had to sit out due to a torn muscle fiber in his thigh. Musiala has been back in team training since November 5 and is currently participating in sessions with the reserve team.
Following the health incidents this summer, Bayern had already announced that they would relieve the national team player of certain off-field obligations.
This measure is now also being implemented with regard to fan club visits. Musiala should be able to focus entirely on his return to play and his health.
Neuer’s fan club visit has also been postponed
In addition to Kompany and Musiala, there is another personnel change.
According to BILD, Manuel Neuer ’s planned fan club visit has also been postponed. The 40-year-old is currently sidelined with a partial tendon tear in his right foot and is expected to be out for FC Bayern until the end of the year.
The event is scheduled to be rescheduled for a later date.
This means that the Munich club is either canceling or postponing the originally scheduled fan events for three prominent figures.
The decision shows that, in light of recent injuries and illnesses, FC Bayern wants to minimize the physical strain on its players and coach as much as possible.