Bayern Munich’s full-back Alphonso Davies suffered a muscle injury in the Bundesliga game at Hertha BSC (3-2). The 22-year-old Canadian was substituted in the 64th minute because of an injury to his right thigh.
Coach Julian Nagelsmann then said after consulting the team doctors that Davies had suffered “at least one torn muscle fiber”. Detailed investigations are still pending.
It was still unclear what consequences the injury would have for the left defender’s World Cup appearances. An assignment in Qatar for the Canadian national soccer team seems at least endangered at the moment.
Canada meets Croatia, Belgium and Morocco in Group F. In the round of 16, a duel with Germany would be possible. Davies is a top performer for the Canadian selection.
There were no specific reasons for injury when Germany international Leon Goretzka was substituted in Berlin. Nagelsmann said it would have been difficult for players of Goretzka’s stature on the difficult-to-play field in the Olympic Stadium. The substitution was therefore “a precautionary measure”. Goretzka is a fixed World Cup candidate in the DFB selection of national coach Hansi Flick.