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CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Champions League: Gnabry will "probably" miss Bayern's Barcelona clash

Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic says he expects the Bavarians to be without Serge Gnabry when they face Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Champions League: Gnabry will "probably" miss Bayern's Barcelona clash
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Bayern Munich's Serge Gnabry will "probably" miss Tuesday's Champions League opener against Barcelona, Hasan Salihamidzic says. 

A back problem forced Gnabry off in first-half stoppage time during Bayern's 4-1 victory at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga on Saturday. 

The 26-year-old started two of Germany's three World Cup qualifiers during the international break and was introduced as a second-half substitute in the other. 

Bayern sporting director Salihamidzic was frustrated that Gnabry sustained an injury after playing in all those matches, while Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus left early with a knee injury but recovered in time to face Bayer Leverkusen this weekend. 

Reus withdrew from selection for Euro 2020 but had said he wanted to play "an important role" for Germany ahead of the three qualifiers. 

Gnabry in "really tight" fitness race for Champions League clash

"I find it surprising when you leave the national team and then play again a few days later. Our players stay and play anyway," Salihamidzic told Sky. 

"It's not the first time either. When you're injured, okay, you drop out, but otherwise... Serge Gnabry stayed there. He'll probably be out against Barcelona now, but that's just the way it is. 

"If you want to be a leader, you always have to be there. Otherwise, a team won't work. What [Joshua] Kimmich does, what [Manuel] Neuer does, what [Leon] Goretzka does – that's leadership for me. The coach can rely on that." 

On Gnabry's availability to face Barcelona, he added: "It's getting really tight. He's been treated and it's already better. I was there today and saw him. We'll have to see if it's enough." 

Coman, Lewandowski in frame to play against Barcelona

However, Bayern could be boosted by the return to fitness of Kingsley Coman

Coman withdrew from France duty due to a calf injury and reportedly returned to training in Bavaria on Sunday

Bayern boss Julian Nagelsmann is also confident of having Robert Lewandowski available for selection following the striker's early withdrawal against Leipzig for "precautionary reasons".