Bayern fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Jamal Musiala. But the 22-year-old will probably be missing the record champions for a while yet. Following the 4-0 win against Club Brugge in the Champions League, Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund has now provided an update on the attacking star’s situation – and dampened hopes of an imminent comeback.
On 5 July, Jamal Musiala suffered a serious injury in the quarter-final of the Club World Cup against Paris Saint-Germain. Following a collision with PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, the international suffered a dislocated ankle and a fracture to his fibula. An operation was unavoidable and Musiala has been working hard on his return ever since.
The youngster is currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme at Säbener Straße. However, there is still no talk of team training or ball work.
Freund on Musiala: „Things are progressing, but it’s still taking time“
After the convincing home win against Bruges, Christoph Freund gave an insight into the current state of rehab on Wednesday evening. The sporting director explained: „It will still take a little while. But it’s progressing, it looks positive. He can put full weight on his foot again. Positive direction, but it will still take a while.“
Freund thus confirmed that although Musiala is making progress, a comeback in the near future is not yet realistic. The 22-year-old is currently mainly doing sessions in the gym to regain stability and mobility in his ankle.
Patience is crucial for Vincent Kompany and the coaching team – Musiala should only return when he is fully fit.
Davies makes great progress – hope for December comeback
While patience is required for Musiala, there is more positive news for Alphonso Davies. According to Kompany, the Canadian international, who suffered a cruciate ligament rupture with cartilage damage in his right knee in March, is making very good progress.
„The medical department and Alphonso are working very well together at the moment,“ praised the coach. „I had hoped that he would be back at the beginning of January. As it looks now, it could even be a little earlier. If things continue to go well, we’ll have a very, very fit Alphonso Davies back sometime in December.“
The left-back is already training individually on the pitch and is working on gradually being integrated back into team training.
Hiroki Ito (metatarsal fracture) is also currently completing units in the recovery programme. However, Freund did not give an exact date for his return.
Gnabry ahead of comeback against Gladbach
The outlook for Serge Gnabry, on the other hand, is more positive. The winger has been out recently with adductor problems, but could be back in the squad for the Bundesliga match against Borussia Mönchengladbach next weekend.
The 30-year-old was optimistic as he left the Allianz Arena. When asked by BILD, Gnabry replied with a smile: „All good! I hope so.“
So while some Bayern stars are on the home stretch of their rehab journey, Musiala’s fans and managers will have to be patient. If everything goes according to plan, his comeback will not take place until the new year.