As of: February 7, 2024, 7:20 a.m
By: Marius Epp
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Not everything is going smoothly at FC Bayern before the groundbreaking top game against Bayer Leverkusen: Manuel Neuer and Bryan Zaragoza have to sit out.
Munich – FC Bayern has a whole week of training to prepare for the Bundesliga clash against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday (6.30 p.m.).
A small advantage because the Werkself have to play against VfB Stuttgart in the DFB Cup on Tuesday.
But the record champions announced two smaller bits of bad news on Tuesday: Manuel Neuer and new signing Bryan Zaragoza, who had already set a record without playing a single minute, were unable to take part in training.
According to the club, Neuer took a break due to minor knee problems.
The offensive player Zaragoza, signed by FC Granada, had to sit out due to a flu-like infection.
FC Bayern is hoping for Kimmich's return before the Leverkusen game
Coach Thomas Tuchel can still hope for the return of the injured Dayot Upamecano (torn hamstring in the left rear thigh) and Joshua Kimmich (shoulder injury) for the game on Saturday.
According to Sky and Abendzeitung
, the two top performers completed
another individual session at the club's premises on Tuesday in Munich.
Whether they really become an alternative for the squad or, under certain circumstances, for the starting line-up depends on further impressions and the time of return to team training.
Tuchel had announced a decision for “mid-week”.
Hard to miss: Bryan Zaragoza (l.) and Manuel Neuer (2nd from left) are two different types of players.
© IMAGO/Ulmer
Bundesliga summit against Leverkusen: FC Bayern without Davies and Coman
In the table, the Munich team are second, two points behind Leverkusen, who are still unbeaten in the Bundesliga season.
“Leverkusen are playing an outstanding round, but when they look in the rearview mirror they are only two points ahead.
We are there, we want to prove that,” said Tuchel.
Tuchel will have to do without Alphonso Davies (strained medial ligament on his left knee), Kingsley Coman (torn medial ligament in his left knee), Konrad Laimer (torn muscle bundle in his left calf), Bouna Sarr (torn cruciate ligament), substitute goalkeeper Daniel Peretz (injured medial ligament on his right knee) and Serge Gnabry (Muscle tendon injury in the left adductor area).
Central defender Minjae Kim is with the South Korean national team at the Asian Cup.
In contrast to Leverkusen, Munich does not have a game in the DFB Cup this week.
There, FC Bayern were eliminated 1-2 at 1. FC Saarbrücken on November 1st.
(epp/dpa)