Goretzka is out after surgery
What Tuchel feared is happening at FC Bayern
October 22, 2023, 8:33 p.m
FC Bayern will have to do without national player Leon Goretzka in the next games. The 28-year-old broke his hand during the game against Mainz. The midfielder has already undergone surgery. The club does not give an exact downtime. Coach Tuchel has other worries.
It’s an ongoing issue at FC Bayern and as much as the bosses in Munich want it, it just won’t get any smaller. The record champions’ squad is on edge and there is little or no way to compensate for serious injuries. Thomas Tuchel emphasizes this again and again. He annoys his bosses with it. And has already been called back several times. Most recently, Uli Hoeneß verbally insulted him. He said on Saturday: The discussions about the unfortunate transfer period or the squad have been “dispelled. Of course a lot is made of it when he speaks. Everything is good with Uli.”
But how true what Tuchel says is revealed once again this Sunday. The resurgent Leon Goretzka is out for the time being. The national player suffered a metacarpal fracture in the duel with FSV Mainz 05 (3-1) on Saturday. As the club explains, the 28-year-old has already undergone surgery and will miss the “next few games”. The record champions were not more specific. Against the bottom team in the Bundesliga, he played alongside Joshua Kimmich and scored the important 3-1. He set up Harry Kane’s goal.
The 28-year-old spoke up on Instagram on Sunday evening. “Good things to be back quickly,” he wrote alongside a photo that shows him in front of the hospital with his hand in a cast. “Thank you for your messages and well wishes.” As “Bild” reports, FC Bayern assumes that Goretzka will be missing for up to three weeks. This would mean the games in Istanbul in the Champions League (October 28th), in the DFB Cup against third division team 1. FC Saarbrücken (November 1st), in the Bundesliga against Borussia Dortmund (November 4th) and the home game against Galatasaray ( November 8th) in danger. According to “Sky”, the player himself has the BVB game in mind as a return time.
“Now trying to wrap everyone up in cotton wool”
Tuchel, who was recently publicly reprimanded by Hoeneß after his criticism of the squad, didn’t complain this time. His plan to combat the misery? “We’re now trying to wrap everyone up in cotton wool,” he emphasized and at the same time warned: “We can’t afford a major injury epidemic in just a few positions.” The aim is to “keep everyone together and use all resources. We are completely convinced of the quality”.
For the record champions’ next task in the Champions League, Tuchel will have to rebuild again and find a good solution, especially for the central midfield. Konrad Laimer, who played very well in preparation and was initially considered a seed, has to help out at right back. There he replaces Noussair Mazraoui, who is suffering from muscular problems. “The tendency is no, but there is still hope,” said Tuchel about his chances of playing on Tuesday. The Moroccan was recently criticized for pro-Palestine posts, but the club waived consequences after a discussion.
Three more failures at FC Bayern
It remains to be seen who will play in midfield alongside Kimmich, who has also been ailing in recent days. Jamal Musiala may move into the position. He can certainly play that, but more the offensive part. Kimmich would then have to limit himself primarily to the defense, providing the “Holding Six”, which the coach actually really wants. Kalvin Phillips may take on this role in the winter; he is considered a candidate at FC Bayern and dispensable at his parent club Manchester City.
Of course, this is not yet an option for the upcoming away game at Galatasaray Istanbul. Tuchel has to do what club boss Jan-Christian Dreesen wrote in his specifications weeks ago: “He (Tuchel, editor’s note) has to be a little more creative now. That’s his job.” In addition to Goretzka, for whom the loss is particularly bitter in his current strong phase after frustrating months, Dayot Upamecano (rebuilding after a muscle injury), Serge Gnabry (broken forearm) and Raphael Guerreiro (torn muscle fiber) are also still out.