Although the season hasn’t started yet, Bayern are in full preparation for their upcoming campaigns both in the Bundesliga as well as in the Champions League. Die Roten, who are now under the leadership of ex-Leipzig boss Julian Naglesmann, will again look to make sure that the Bundesliga title remains in Munich while trying to get their hands on another Champions League trophy.
However, the Bavarian titans have been dealt a huge blow even before the season commences in August. Not only do they have one key player looking set to miss the start of the term, but two. And both just so happen to play the same position: left-back.
Alphonso Davies and Lucas Hernandez have been battling it out for a coveted spot in the starting XI for at least a season, especially since Canadian international Davies enjoyed an impressive turn as left-back during Bayern’s Champions League winning campaign. Unfortunately both Davies and Hernandez, who was part of France’s squad at the Euro 2020 tournament, could end up missing out once the season resumes in August.
Davies, who many were looking forward to seeing at this summer’s Gold Cup tournament unfortunately sustained an ankle injury during a training session as Canada were preparing to face Martinique. This time, it’s his right ankle, and he’s already returned to Munich to undergo rehab and treatment. Prior to this, the 20-year-old tore several ligaments in his left ankle that saw him miss seven games for Bayern during the 2020/21 campaign. His absence, naturally is a huge blow to Canada, and could be an even bigger one for die Roten due to his speedy runs up and down on the left flank.
Meanwhile, the man who’s been Davies’s biggest competitor for a starting XI spot, Lucas Hernandez, is also set to be out for several of Bayern’s early matches. The 25-year-old suffered a torn ligament in his left knee and had to undergo surgery to fix the problem, and is now projected to miss at least six weeks. This means he won’t be able to be involved in not just Bayern’s season opener against Borussia Moenchengladbach on August 13th but possibly even their DFL-Supercup showdown against familiar foes Borussia Dortmund four days later.
Naglesmann, then will have to figure out who he can deploy as a left back as he anxiously waits for both Davies and Hernandez to be back fighting fit. Some options include Omar Richards, an English youth international who recently completed a summer move from Championship side Reading, Remy Vita, who currently plays for Bayern’s reserves, or Bouna Sarr, who was signed in 2018 as cover for Benjamin Pavard but can play on the left side as well.
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