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Update: 3:00PM EST
Good news for Bayern fans, at the moment it looks like Neuer’s injury isn’t too serious.
News #Neuer: He has already given a positive signal internally. Capsule injury is not serious. He could be ready to play against @fckoeln. @SPORT1 #FCBayern
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 19, 2021
If I were Nagelsmann though, I’d still hold him back against Koln.
This is some really terrible news for fans of Bayern Munich. Per the official club report, team captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has suffered a capsular ligament injury in his right ankle during Tuesday’s DFL Supercup victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Keen-eyed viewers would’ve noticed the moment where Neuer called the physios over to take a look at his foot in the middle of the second half, ostensibly due to some discomfort. While he managed to finish the game without any problems, even getting into an aerial duel with Erling Haaland, it seems that the club’s captain is set for a spell on the sidelines.
ℹ️ @Manuel_Neuer sustained a capsule injury in his right ankle during the Supercup victory over Dortmund, so the captain will not take part in today's training. #MiaSanMia pic.twitter.com/CzsNrsQNlq
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) August 19, 2021
There’s been zero info about the severity of the injury, and how long Neuer could be out for. If it’s anything more than a month, he risks missing Bayern’s game against RB Leipzig in the league and the Champions League group stage opener. In Neuer’s absece, Sven Ulreich will likely have to don the keeper’s gloves, while Thomas Muller will pick up the armband.
The timing of this injury will be a big blow to coach Julian Nagelsmann, who has to rely on Neuer’s godly keeping skills to give his defenders some leeway while they find their feet. While Sven is not a poor keeper, he’s no Manuel Neuer — it’s time for Bayern’s defenders to step up in the absence of the best goalkeeper in the world.