Bayern Munich face further attacking personnel problems before their Champions League meeting with Atlético Madrid. The Guardian reports that Ismael Saibari has undergone ankle-ligament surgery, Serge Gnabry is expected to miss several weeks and Michael Olise's knee issue remains uncertain.
The injury developments follow the 2-2 draw with Dortmund during the week of Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or celebrations. The award supplies background; the immediate problem is choosing from a reduced group.
Different levels of medical certainty
Saibari was injured in a collision with Gregor Kobel and is expected to need at least three months to recover, according to the newspaper. Gnabry's hamstring injury is expected to keep him out for weeks. Neither estimate supplies a precise return date.
Olise went down off the ball late in the match with what the writer described as an apparent knee problem. The report does not provide a complete diagnosis or an equivalent recovery timetable for him.
Selection work continues
Bayern entered the Dortmund game without Luis Díaz, Manuel Neuer and Jamal Musiala. Vincent Kompany is also recovering after hospitalisation, with assistant Aaron Danks in charge and no rush to bring the head coach back.
The Guardian's analysis places a greater attacking burden on Kane and Lennart Karl. Kane assisted Dayot Upamecano against Dortmund but missed a penalty and another chance, while Karl hit the bar in added time.
The next task is assessing the available squad for Atlético. Further information on Olise and the other recovery processes will shape the coaching staff's options, without the injury list itself establishing the European result.