Bayern Munich captain and veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has suffered a new injury setback, casting doubt over his availability for crucial upcoming matches in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.

Calf Injury Strikes Again

Neuer had initially been recovering from a torn calf muscle sustained in early March. Ironically, he injured himself while celebrating a goal during Bayern’s Champions League Round of 16 first-leg win over Bayer Leverkusen.

The 38-year-old recently resumed light training and began working with the ball again. However, Bayern Munich confirmed on Saturday that Neuer has experienced a “reaction in the calf muscle” during training sessions. As a result, he will be sidelined again for the next few days to allow the muscle to heal properly.

Doubt Over Return Timeline

This latest development puts his availability in question for Bayern’s upcoming Bundesliga fixture against St. Pauli on March 29. Even more critically, it raises concerns about his readiness for the Champions League quarter-final clash against Inter Milan, scheduled over two legs in April.

Neuer’s experience and leadership are considered essential as Bayern Munich aim to advance deeper into Europe’s premier club competition and maintain their grip on the Bundesliga title race.

Bayern’s Goalkeeping Dilemma Deepens

The setback could not have come at a worse time. Bayern’s 21-year-old backup keeper Jonas Urbig also remains unavailable. Urbig sustained a foot injury and missed out on international duty with Germany’s U21 team during the break.

That leaves Bayern with two fit options: Israeli international Daniel Peretz and long-time understudy Sven Ulreich. While both are capable, neither possesses the presence or international experience that Neuer brings to the squad.

Ulreich, 35, has filled in for Neuer on multiple occasions, including earlier this season when Neuer was recovering from a leg fracture. Peretz, on the other hand, joined Bayern in 2023 and is yet to make a competitive first-team appearance.

Title Race and Champions League Stakes

The Bavarian giants currently lead the Bundesliga table, six points ahead of second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, with only eight matches left in the season. Any slip-ups now could open the door for their rivals to stage a late-season surge.

Additionally, Bayern’s ambitions in Europe hinge on having a solid foundation at the back. Neuer’s leadership, shot-stopping ability, and composure under pressure are crucial, particularly against a side like Inter Milan that boasts attacking threats in Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram.

Injury Management Key for Bayern

Given Neuer’s age and recent injury history, Bayern will need to manage his recovery with caution. Rushing him back too soon could aggravate the injury further and rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

In past seasons, Neuer has proven to be resilient, often returning stronger after long layoffs. However, with limited time left in the season and key fixtures looming, the club’s medical team will have to strike a balance between urgency and caution.

Conclusion

Manuel Neuer’s injury setback is a significant blow for Bayern Munich at a critical stage of their season. With the Bundesliga title and Champions League dreams on the line, the club faces a tough decision on how to navigate the coming weeks without their most experienced leader between the posts.

Fans and teammates alike will be hoping for a swift recovery, but Bayern must now rely on their depth and adaptability to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions.