Breaking: Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard out several weeks

We can add Bayern Munich’s Benjamin Pavard to the list of outside-backs that have incurred injuries during this preseason.

Pavard joins Lucas Hernandez, Alphonso Davies, and Omar Richards as players who were injured at the position at some point this summer. Davies has already made his way back to team training, but manager Julian Nagelsmann might be reluctant to use the Canadian in the Bundesliga opener against Borussia Mönchengladbach.

In addition, Hernandez, who will feature mostly as a center-back this season, is also banged up, along with Omar Richards. Josip Stanisic, though, seems to have jumped over Omar Richards on the depth chart as the backup left-back.

As for right-back, Bouna Sarr is currently Pavard’s back-up, but Niklas Süle and Chris Richards can also play the position. Sarr is reportedly not highly-rated within the club at this point.

Back to Pavard’s injury, though, the Frenchman will be out for “several” weeks (per kicker):

This news hits Bayern hard. Benjamin Pavard (25) injured his ankle during training and is expected to be out for three to four weeks.

The right-back presented himself in good shape after World Champions France dropped out of the European Championship in the round of 16 after his return from vacation. His failure hurts Bayern all the more as there is actually no adequate replacement for this position on the right side of the defense. The committed Bouna Sarr has so far not been able to convince.

Pavard will be out at the start of the season in Mönchengladbach this Friday, in the Supercup at Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday and against 1. FC Köln and Hertha BSC Berlin, before the international break is due at the beginning of September. The rescheduled Pokal game at Bremer SV will also take place without Pavard.

The reality is that we could see the return of “Sulinho” or even have Stanisic shift to right-back with Omar Richards at left-back, despite his — alleged — slipping form. Whatever Nagelsmann decides, it will not be easy, nor ideal. Hopefully, Nagelsmann’s plan does not include Joshua Kimmich moving to back to his old spot.

However, this could be a good way for Nagelsmann to get Süle, Dayot Upamecano, and Tanguy Nianzou all on the pitch together for the opener.