FC Bayern: Injury shock at Pavard

The bad luck with injuries apparently remains loyal to FC Bayern Munich: Like that kicker reported, right-back Benjamin Pavard sustained an ankle injury in training on Wednesday and will be missing for three to four weeks for the record champions.

Pavard, who had presented himself in good shape at Bayern after his return from the European Championship vacation, missed the season opener on Friday at Borussia Mönchengladbach, the Supercup duel with BVB on Tuesday, as well as the games against Cologne, Hertha BSC and in the cup against Bremer SV.

Presumably, the 25-year-old will only return to team training after the international break at the beginning of September. The failure comes at an inopportune time for FC Bayern. Especially in Pavard’s position, coach Julian Nagelsmann only has Bouna Sarr, who has been disappointing at Bayern to date, as an alternative, because Joshua Kimmich is also placed under the new coach in the midfield center.

It is quite possible that either Chris Richards or Niklas Süle will switch to the full-back position. Both held this position last season despite being nominal center-backs. Another alternative would be Josip Stanisic.

Bayern were repeatedly thrown back from injury-related failures in the summer preparation. Alphonso Davies returned from the Gold Cup prematurely with an ankle injury, but at least made his training comeback recently. In addition, Marc Roca (torn lateral ligament) and Lucas Hernandez (torn meniscus) are currently missing for a long time.