Bayern coach Kompany confirms Neuer’s rib fracture: Peretz before Champions League debut

Defaults worth 342 million

This article first appeared on December 9th at 4:50 p.m. and has been updated with the new diagnosis.

Manuel Neuer will be missing from FC Bayern for some time. The captain of the German record champions did not take part in the final training session in Munich before the Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday (9 p.m.) after suffering rib problems and is also missing from the matchday squad. As coach Vincent Kompany later confirmed at a press conference, the 38-year-old suffered a broken rib. “He probably won’t play again this year. The important thing is that it heals now. Then hopefully we’ll have Manu back from January.” He will probably be represented again by Daniel Peretz in Gelsenkirchen, where the Ukrainians play their home games because of the war.

The Israeli is about to play his first game in the premier class. The 24-year-old took Neuer’s place after he was sent off in the DFB Cup defeat against Bayer Leverkusen and made his starting eleven debut in goal for the Bayern professionals in the 4-2 Bundesliga win against 1. FC Heidenheim.

In addition to Neuer, João Palhinha, Alphonso Davies, Kingsley Coman and Harry Kane were also missing due to muscle injuries in training before departure. Kompany also has to do without Serge Gnabry, who has knee problems. Josip Stanisic took part in team training for the first time after tearing the lateral ligament in his knee. The Croatian is not yet an option for the squad after the long injury break. If you add up the estimates of these seven professionals, Bayern are missing players worth 312 million euros. Hiroki Ito (30 million euros) is also no longer an option after his metatarsal fracture. After illness, Mathys Tel returned to training and traveled to Gelsenkirchen.

Hainer: FC Bayern wants to be in the top eight

Before the 6th matchday of the reformed Champions League, the Munich team are in 13th place in the table led by Liverpool FC with three wins and two defeats. A place among the top eight teams would result in direct qualification for the round of 16. The other 16 teams play the other eight round of 16 teams in home and away playoffs.

“We want to be in the top eight. We still have a lot to do, there are still three games left, first on Tuesday against Donetsk,” said President Herbert Hainer. “Our goal is to win all three games. I think we will then relatively safely end up in the top eight.”

After the game against Donetsk, things continue in the new year. On January 22nd, the Munich team will play at Feyenoord Rotterdam. At the end of the preliminary round, Slovan Bratislava will be guests at the Allianz Arena on January 29th. The playoff games take place in mid-February. According to CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, Bayern’s goal is the “title at home”.