Bayern Munich lost Upamecano (left) at a crucial point in the season - Photo: Reuters
This is because they were the team that suffered the most injuries to their players following FIFA's two-week international break.
Bayern Munich are extremely worried.
Specifically, Bayern Munich will be without at least two key players long-term due to injury: Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano. Both are defenders, which is the area where Bayern Munich has the fewest players.
Davies suffered a torn ligament and had to end his season. Davies' injury also sparked controversy, with his agent bluntly criticizing the Canadian national team for "forcing" his client to play while not in optimal physical condition.
Davies was reportedly exhausted after the match against Mexico. However, the coaching staff still wanted him to play in the match against the USA. For a player with a physically demanding and fast playing style like Davies, the risk of a torn ligament injury is always present.
In Upamecano's case, Bayern Munich can breathe a little easier as he has been told he "will be out for a few weeks". But it is almost certain that the French center-back will miss both matches against Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Bayern Munich's defense is practically in tatters due to injuries. Previously, center-back Kim Min Jae also suffered an injury and is racing against time to recover before the match against Inter Milan . Pavlovic – who plays as a defensive midfielder – has been sidelined since February and may be out for the entire month of April, according to a recent report.
In the worst-case scenario, coach Vincent Kompany will have to use the central defensive pairing of Eric Dier and Hiroki Ito for the upcoming week. This is a last resort as both players are questionable in terms of quality.
Ito, in particular, had to take a six-month break from playing (from July 2024 to February 2025) due to a serious injury. He is currently still in the process of regaining his form.
A smart move by the Premier League.
Fortunately for Bayern Munich, their upcoming opponent, Inter Milan, has also suffered some setbacks. Specifically, Marcus Thuram sustained a similar injury to Upamecano, while Lautaro Martinez's return date is uncertain. Major European clubs like Arsenal, Liverpool, and Barcelona also have players injured while on international duty.
Even without injuries, fitness levels pose significant challenges for clubs, especially those with a large number of South American players. A prime example is Liverpool, with goalkeeper Alisson of Brazil, midfielder Mac Allister of Argentina, forward Darwin Nunez of Uruguay, and forward Luis Diaz of Colombia.
Each South American player has traveled around 20,000km in the past two weeks. This has left them with only two days to train with their clubs before returning to the pitch this weekend. Some players didn't even have time to practice.
Fortunately for Premier League clubs, the English Football Association (FA) has adjusted the fixture schedule for this season. This weekend, the Premier League will take a break to make way for the FA Cup – a less important competition.
Because Liverpool and Arsenal were eliminated early, they will have almost a week to rest before playing in the Premier League next week.
Barca is facing many difficulties.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has criticized La Liga organizers for scheduling such a packed fixture list, including the rescheduled match against Osasuna early this morning (March 28). The match, part of round 27, was postponed due to the sudden death of Barca's doctor, Carles Minarro. Barca will now have to play a total of seven matches in three weeks.
With such a fixture schedule, some of Barca's South American stars are put in an extremely difficult situation.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lai-dau-dau-vi-vi-rut-fifa-2025032808493288.htm
