Without national goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, FC Bayern has to play the top game in the Bundesliga on Saturday (6.30 p.m./Sky) against Borussia Dortmund. “Manu is out,” said coach Thomas Tuchel on Friday. “It just didn’t work, the injury is too painful, it’s too big. We hope that a week will be enough for him to be in goal again against Heidenheim.” Neuer suffered a torn muscle fiber in his adductor area with the national team and recently only trained individually with the Munich team. Reliable substitute Sven Ulreich will replace Neuer in goal.
After the early departure of England’s national team, Harry Kane will be there in the classic against BVB. “Harry trained fully yesterday,” reported Tuchel. So “everything is fine, he’s playing.” Striker Kane suffered an ankle injury before the international break and missed the games with the Three Lions.
In addition to Neuer, Tuchel also has to do without midfield youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic after tonsillitis, defender Raphael Guerreiro after a forced break due to a torn muscle fiber and also full-back Sacha Boey (torn muscle bundle).
In Kingsley Coman, Tuchel gets a fresh alternative on the offensive. “Kingsley is a huge factor,” said the Bayern coach about the Frenchman’s return to the squad. Coman suffered a torn medial ligament in his left knee in the game against FC Augsburg at the end of January and has been out since then.
The game against his former club Dortmund is very important for Tuchel. “We can win a classic,” said the Bayern coach and expected an “emotional, important, charged game.”
Sabitzer and Bensebaini are missing in Dortmund, Kobel is questionable
In addition to the suspended Marcel Sabitzer, Dortmund coach Edin Terzic also has to do without full-back Ramy Bensebaini. “He has suffered an injury to his medial ligament. It is unlikely that he will play this season,” said Terzic. It remains questionable whether regular goalkeeper Gregor Kobel will return. The 26-year-old has recovered from his muscle injury, but is currently suffering from a gastrointestinal infection. Terzic wants to decide on a deployment at short notice. On the other hand, Sébastien Haller and Julian Ryerson are sure to return to the squad.