Alphonso Davies is set to be sidelined for several months, while Dayot Upamecano will be out for weeks, intensifying the defensive woes for FC Bayern Munich. These injury setbacks come at a critical time for the club, as noted by sporting director Max Eberl.
Injury Updates
Eberl emphasized the impact of these injuries, particularly during international breaks. „Unfortunately, there is always a risk that players return injured during international breaks, and this time it has hit us especially hard. The absences of Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano are significant for FC Bayern,“ he stated following the latest news regarding the team’s defense, which is already missing goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
Davies, the 24-year-old Canadian international, sustained a serious injury during a national team match against the USA, resulting in a torn ACL in his right knee. He is scheduled for surgery today.
Meanwhile, Upamecano, 26, will also be absent due to knee issues, specifically free-floating bodies in his left knee, which will prevent him from playing for several weeks. Another defender, Minjae Kim from South Korea, is currently managing Achilles tendon problems, adding to the defensive challenges.
Squad Adjustments
Eberl expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to cope with these losses, asserting, „Our squad is strong and will compensate for these absences. We will come together even more tightly. The quality is there to continue pursuing our big goals.“
With the absence of Davies, who recently signed a contract extension until 2030, the team will rely on alternatives like Hiroki Ito and Raphaël Guerreiro, both of whom may not match Davies‘ speed.
For Upamecano, the experienced Eric Dier is expected to step in. Dier, whose contract is set to expire in June, is known for his reliability and professionalism, making him a valuable asset for the team. Additionally, Josip Stanisic could be considered as a substitute.
Upcoming Challenges
FC Bayern Munich is facing crucial weeks ahead in the Bundesliga, with a match against FC St. Pauli scheduled for Saturday. Their closest rival, Bayer Leverkusen, could close the gap to three points with a win against VfL Bochum the day before.
In April, the team will enter a critical phase in the Champions League as they prepare to face Inter Milan, with the first leg set for April 8, followed by a return leg in Italy on April 16. A key question remains: will captain Neuer be fit to return by then? Neuer is currently recovering from a muscle injury sustained during a Champions League match earlier this month.
Eberl assured that both Davies and Upamecano will receive full support during their recovery processes, stating, „Davies will receive all the support he needs on his way back. We will also closely monitor Upamecano and expect him to be available again soon.“
Davies had been substituted out early in the match against the USA due to knee issues, initially reporting no significant problems, while Upamecano had recently helped France secure a place in the UEFA Nations League Final Four against Croatia.