Oh great, this is just a disaster. 2023 is off a cursed start for Bayern Munich with Noussair Mazroaui set to miss six to eight weeks with pericarditis. The Moroccan fullback apparently suffered from severe COVID-19 during his vacation after the World Cup. Per Bild, blood tests carried out on the player revealed the need for total rest in the coming few weeks. He will be tested regularly from now on, with the doctors keeping a close eye to decide when he may resume training.
Needless to say, this news is devastating to Bayern’s hopes in the Champions League and beyond. Mazraoui was one of the best performing players in the Hinrunde, and losing him for even the first leg of the PSG tie could kill the tie. After Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer were already ruled out, Julian Nagelsmann is going to have to deal with missing another key defender against the likes of Leo Messi, Kylian Mbappe, and Neymar.
As you might remember, this is the second year in a row where a Bayern fullback has been ruled out due to heart issues resulting from COVID. Last year, Alphonso Davies was diagnosed with myocarditis during the winter break, and ended up missing games all the way up to the second leg vs Villarreal in the Champions League quarter-final. If Mazraoui’s recovery timeline is anything similar, there may not BE a quarter-final for him to play once he gets back.
Honestly, this news is just ... heart breaking. There’s nothing else to say. Just another instance of pure, bad luck in a season full of it.
Update
Meanwhile, Marcel Sabitzer did not travel to the team’s training camp in Qatar due to illness.
News #Sabitzer: He is ill and was not on board today. He hopes that he might be able to follow up on Sunday. @SkySportDE
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 6, 2023
Update #2
WHAT. Mazraoui had COVID at the World Cup? Then why did he end up playing against France?
ℹ After testing positive for Covid-19 during the World Cup, a follow-up examination in Munich has revealed that Noussair Mazraoui has been diagnosed with a mild inflammation of the pericardium.
— FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 6, 2023
Wishing you all the best for a full and quick recovery, Nous!
Just a note, the difference between what Mazraoui has and what Davies has is that the pericardium is the outer fibrous layer that covers the heart, while myocardium (which was inflamed in Davies’ case, hence myocarditis) refers to the muscular walls of the heart itself.
Update #3
So Bayern Munich do suspect something after all.
Bayern are suspicious that Noussair Mazraoui shouldn't have played at the WC again after his COVID infection. Mazraoui returned in the semifinal vs France and only lasted 45 minutes, then completely missed the 3rd place playoff. That could have triggered the pericarditis [@BILD] pic.twitter.com/hVifHne3WQ
— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) January 6, 2023
Loading comments...