Bayern Munich have had an extraordinary number of injuries in the first team so far this season. That is by no means meant to be an excuse for what will likely be their first trophyless term since 2012. Bayer Leverkusen are having an extraordinary year and there is nothing that should take away from that fact.
Die Werkself are on course to become the first Bundesliga side to go an entire campaign without losing. From that point of view, there is little that the Bavarians could have done differently, that may have seen them defend their league crown for an unprecedented 12th time. Nonetheless, we look at the different Bayern Munich players injured at different parts of the season.
Bayern Munich Players Pnjured (by position)
Goalkeepers
One of the biggest absences in terms of Bayern Munich players injured this season, was their captain and world-class keeper Manuel Neuer. He missed the entire second half of last season, as well as much of the first half of this term, due to his unfortunate skiing accident while on holiday after the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
His performances and sheer presence in goal were something that the team missed. He is now injured yet again, likely to miss the weekend showdown with Borussia Dortmund. Neuer’s designated deputies Sven Ulreich and the rather unnecessary new signing Daniel Peretz also had injury problems themselves.
Defenders
The defence was arguably the hardest hit by Bayern Munich players injured. Nearly every defender on the books at the German record champions has spent some time on the sidelines. Sacha Boey was something of an emergency buy in the January transfer window. He was only able to make two appearances for the club since then, largely due to various injuries.
Alphonso Davies has missed action recently and when he was fit, he did not perform to the level he is capable of.
Meanwhile, Matthijs de Ligt, the undisputed defensive leader of the previous season, has seemingly spent more time recovering from various ailments this term, than he has on the pitch. Nevertheless, his recent form has helped the team improve of late.
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Raphael Guerreiro and Noussair Mazraoui have both missed much of the season with injuries. The latter was also away on international duty in January.
Min-jae Kim and Dayot Upamecano were the default pairing in central defence for much of the first half of the campaign, though they too had some injury problems at times. Kim was also away with his national team in January.
Bouna Sarr tore his ACL in the autumn, though he was only a last-resort option at right-back when fit. Eric Dier, on the other hand, has proven his doubters wrong since joining the team in January. Early on, he missed a game or two through injury but has more than redeemed himself since.
Midfielders
Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka were once again the preferred holding midfield duo for the team. They had some time on the sidelines with illness and injury as well. Youngster Aleksandar Pavlovic has usually done well to fill in. Now that Kimmich has been moved back to the right side of defence, Pavlovic is needed even more.
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Yet, he too is currently out injured. Enter Konrad Laimer . Even though he sees himself as a holding midfielder, he mostly helped out in the defence, where he lost his place recently due to joining the list of Bayern Munich players injured.
Attacking players
In terms of the front four, the story has been more about the longevity of different injuries, than their frequency. Certainly, Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané have suffered different knocks from that time, but the long-term absences of particularly Serge Gnabry or Kingsley Coman have derailed Bayern’s season. Harry Kane’s recent ankle injury is the latest problem for the team to deal with on the injury front. One can only hope that it won’t be too bad.
