Bayern Munich’s Neuer doubtful for Champions League first leg against Besiktas

As of this writing, it has been 87 days since Manuel Neuer again suffered a hairline fracture to the metatarsal of his left foot (September 19, 2017), and there is still no end in sight. It may be as many days again before Neuer finally returns to the pitch.

Although the club initially hoped that he would return in January, according to kicker, Neuer’s recovery has proceeded so slowly that it now is unlikely that he will be fit for the first leg of Bayern’s Champions League clash with Besiktas in Istanbul on February 20, 2018.

Neuer could hypothetically return for the second leg in Munich, which takes place on March 14, but pinpointing any date for a comeback at present is highly speculative. Neuer currently hopes to be able to shed his crutches by year’s end. For a measure of his progress, he told a Bayern fan club last weekend, “I can stand normally in the shower again.”

He also joked about having a t-shirt made with the words “I’m fine!” on it, so people stop asking him.

Get well, Manu!