BUNDESLIGA
Will Jamal Musiala miss key Germany and Bayern Munich games with hamstring injury?
The German winger could now miss the Bundesliga fixture against Borussia Dortmund and a crucial Champions League tie with Manchester City.
Jamal Musiala, the young winger who has impressed for Bayern Munich this season, is set to be out for weeks after suffering a hamstring strain. The German side’s hopes of retaining the title were struck a blow on Sunday as they lost 2-1 against a Bayer Leverkusen.
There is now concern that Bayern may be without one of their star performers this season as they look to retain the German title and progress past Manchester City in the Champions League. Musiala has been one of the Bavarian side’s key players with 15 goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
Since the loss of Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona last summer, Musiala has shouldered some of the Pole’s goal-scoring responsibilities and is currently the club’s top scorer in the Bundesliga.
Will Jamal Musiala be fit to play for Germany?
That defeat to Leverkusen meant that Bayern go into the international break in second place, one point behind new leaders Borussia Dortmund. Germany face Peru and Belgium in internal friendlies, but their young star will not be available for either match.
Germany’s head coach Hansi Flick revealed on Monday that Musiala has withdrawn from the squad due to the hamstring injury.
“We all hoped that Jamal would be fit, because he has unique qualities,” Flick said.
“That’s why it’s a shame for everyone that he won’t be with us. We hope he is fit again as soon as possible and that he is back playing after the international matches.”
Will Musiala be fit to play against Manchester City in the Champions League?
The full extent of Musiala’s hamstring injury is still unknown, but Bayern will be desperate to get the 20-year-old back in contention for a crucial string of games. A mild hamstring strain can heal within a couple of weeks, but anything more severe can lead to months on the sidelines.
On 1 April, in the first game back after the internal break, Bayern face Dortmund in a crucial top of the table clash. Defeat there would hand momentum and a four-point lead to their rivals ahead of the run-in.
After that, Bayern travel to high-flying Freiburg in the DFB Pokal just three days later.
Perhaps the biggest of their upcoming fixtures, however, is the two-legged Champions League tie with Manchester City. Bayern travel to the Etihad on Tuesday, 11 April and will then host the English champions on Wednesday, 19 April.