Bayern Munich’s Niklas Süle says he’s not injured despite reports

Reports from Germany earlier this week had suggested that Niklas Süle had sustained a minor knee problem in Germany’s 3-1 win over the Ukraine during the international break. It was the assumption that was the reason why he only wound up playing 45 minutes in the 6-0 loss to Spain.

Per a new report from Abendzeitung, though, Süle has said that the rumors suggesting he picked up a knee problem are false and that he’s fine. Even Die Mannschaft manager Joachim Löw had told reporters that Süle had to wait on training last week because of complaints about his knee having just played a match after spending nine days in quarantine due to his positive coronavirus test, albeit a false positive. However, Süle himself described the knee issue as “fake” in the most recent addition of kicker.

There was probably added speculation due to the fact that the center-back had already experienced swelling of the knee that had been recovering from the cruciate ligament tear in the summer when he was working his way back to full fitness. It was a minor speedbump in what was an otherwise smooth recovery program that left Bayern Munich’s physios and trainers pleasantly surprised with how quickly he recovered and how well his knee responded to progressive overload.

Photo by Tullio Puglia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Thankfully, with Süle rubbishing speculation of his knee injury, he’ll be available selection for Hansi Flick for Bayern’s clash against Werder Bremen this weekend. He just returned to Sabener Strasse after international duty with Germany, but he should be ready to go.

It remains to be seen whether or not Lucas Hernandez will start against Bremen, but if he’s unable to go and is given a rest by Flick, it’s likely that David Alaba would be pushed out to left back and Süle would most likely start alongside Jerome Boateng. Even if Hernandez is fit and starts, Süle could still start alongside either Boateng or Alaba, but Süle’s lack of training with the rest of Bayern’s squad in the past two weeks is what is cause for concern for him potentially not starting.