Bayern Munich's Manuel Neuer in doubt for clash against Bayer Leverkusen

Rob Fleming
8 February 2024

In a pivotal Bundesliga match, Bayern Munich brace for a tough encounter against Bayer Leverkusen at Bay Arena this Saturday.

With Leverkusen leading the table by two points, second-placed Bayern seek to overtake them with a victory.

Concerns loom over the fitness of Bayern's goalkeeper and captain, Manuel Neuer, who has been absent from first-team training due to knee issues. While his presence remains uncertain, Bayern continue to monitor his progress closely on a day-to-day basis, as reported by Sky Sports in Germany.

Neuer's significance to Bayern's line-up cannot be overstated, given his stellar form since returning from a lengthy injury spell earlier this season. His potential absence poses a significant challenge for Die Roten, both technically and in terms of leadership.

As the matchday approaches, Bayern remain cautious, likely delaying a decision on Neuer's availability until late Friday. In the event of his unavailability, Sven Ulreich stands poised to take his place in goal, having demonstrated proficiency earlier this season during Neuer's absence.

Further complications arise with Daniel Peretz sidelined due to injury, potentially elevating Tom Hulsmann to the bench should Neuer be unavailable.

On a positive note, Joshua Kimmich and Dayot Upamecano appear set to feature in the squad against Leverkusen, having rejoined team training following individual sessions. Their inclusion would provide a significant boost to manager Thomas Tuchel's line-up.

Additionally, the return of Kim Min-jae to the squad bolsters Bayern's defensive options, following South Korea's exit from the Asian Cup semi-final. His participation in Thursday's team training indicates his readiness for the upcoming fixture.

However, Bayern face setbacks with Serge Gnabry ruled out for the Leverkusen clash, while Bryan Zaragoza's absence due to illness adds further complications. Both Kingsley Coman and Alphonso Davies remain sidelined, with Coman facing a three-month lay-off and Davies requiring two to three weeks to recover from a knee injury.

As Bayern prepare to tackle the league leaders, uncertainties surrounding key players inject an added layer of intrigue into what promises to be a fiercely contested encounter at Bay Arena.