Bayern Munich Face Injury Crisis Ahead of Bundesliga Trip to Freiburg
Bayern Munich head to SC Freiburg for Sunday’s Bundesliga clash with a growing list of absentees, leaving the champions facing important selection decisions across the pitch. Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been ruled out again, midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic is reportedly doubtful, and several established starters remain unavailable. Head coach Vincent Kompany will also miss the trip while he undergoes medical examinations in Munich.
The latest setbacks could test Bayern’s squad depth against a Freiburg side enjoying a strong start to the season. With points at stake and a demanding schedule continuing, the match presents both a challenge for the visitors and an opportunity for players further down the squad to make an impression. Any football prediction for the fixture must account for Bayern’s missing personnel, particularly in midfield and attack.
Manuel Neuer to Miss Another Match
Bayern confirmed on Saturday that Neuer, 40, needs another period of rest because of persistent tendon irritation in his foot. The goalkeeper had already missed the club’s 6-1 win over RB Leipzig and a Champions League match against Viking Stavanger before returning for the midweek 2-2 draw with Arsenal. His latest absence means that return was brief.
Jonas Urbig is expected to start in Neuer’s place. The 23-year-old has already filled in during the Leipzig and Stavanger matches, giving him valuable experience in high-pressure situations. He has made four appearances for Bayern across all competitions this season and has also featured twice for Germany’s national team.
Urbig’s recent playing time should help him prepare for the Freiburg test. Still, replacing a goalkeeper of Neuer’s experience is a significant responsibility. Bayern’s defenders may need to provide extra protection, particularly if Freiburg press aggressively or look to exploit quick transitions.
Pavlovic Doubt Adds to Bayern’s Midfield Problems
Sky reported on Saturday evening that Pavlovic is also expected to miss the match because of a calf problem. Bayern had not yet confirmed his absence in the information available, but the report raises the possibility that the club could be without another key central midfielder.
Joshua Kimmich is already unavailable following a bereavement in his family. He also missed the Arsenal match, leaving Bayern short of a regular midfield leader. If Pavlovic cannot play, the coaching staff will have fewer familiar options for controlling possession, protecting the defence and connecting play between the lines.
Tom Bischof could be among those asked to take on greater responsibility. Eighteen-year-old Bara Sapoko Ndiaye is another potential option and could be in line for his first start of the season. Alternatively, Konrad Laimer may move from right-back into defensive midfield, a position he has played regularly in the past. Each solution offers a different balance: a young player could bring energy, while Laimer would provide experience and defensive intensity.
Several Attacking and Defensive Regulars Also Unavailable
Bayern’s concerns extend beyond the goalkeeper and midfield. Luis Díaz is sidelined with a small muscle tear, while playmaker Jamal Musiala is recovering from a thigh injury. Centre-back Min-jae Kim is also out with a muscle strain. The combined absences limit Kompany’s usual choices in attack and defence, increasing the importance of careful rotation and tactical flexibility.
Without Díaz, Bayern lose a direct wide attacker capable of stretching the opposition and creating chances through one-on-one play. Musiala’s absence removes a creative presence between midfield and the forward line, while Kim’s injury reduces the available options at centre-back. Bayern have quality throughout their squad, but several simultaneous injuries can disrupt established partnerships and patterns of play.
Freiburg may see the situation as an opening to put pressure on Bayern, especially if the visitors’ reshuffled midfield takes time to settle. The hosts’ strong early-season form makes them a serious opponent rather than a routine away assignment. For Bayern, an early goal and control of possession could be especially valuable in limiting Freiburg’s confidence and attacking opportunities.
Vincent Kompany to Miss the Freiburg Match
Bayern will also travel without Kompany. The head coach collapsed at the training ground on Friday while watching a session involving the club’s second team and was taken to a Munich hospital for tests. Sporting director Max Eberl said on Saturday morning that Kompany’s condition was stable, but the club has not announced when he is expected to return.
Eberl said Bayern would give the 40-year-old the time he needs and would not set a deadline for his comeback. He added that medical staff still needed to establish what had happened and how the situation should be managed. Kompany had recently been dealing with a severe viral infection, making his health the club’s priority.
Assistant coach Aaron Danks will take charge in Freiburg. The 43-year-old Englishman joined Bayern’s coaching staff alongside Kompany in 2024, so he is familiar with the manager’s methods and the team’s preparations. His task will be to maintain continuity while making adjustments for the players who are unavailable.
What to Watch in Sunday’s Match
The main question is whether Bayern can maintain their usual control despite the shortage of midfield options. If Laimer moves centrally, the right side of defence may also need to be reorganised. If Bischof or Ndiaye starts, the match could offer a useful measure of how Bayern’s younger players respond to a demanding Bundesliga away fixture.
Urbig’s performance will also draw attention. His recent appearances mean he is not stepping into the side without preparation, but Freiburg are likely to test him with crosses, shots and pressure in the penalty area. Clear communication with the defence will be essential, particularly given the changes elsewhere in the lineup.
From a football prediction perspective, Bayern remain a formidable opponent because of their depth and attacking quality. However, the number of absentees, Kimmich’s absence and Kompany’s situation add uncertainty to the contest. Freiburg’s form and home advantage could make the game more competitive than the teams’ reputations alone might suggest. Bayern’s ability to adapt quickly—and the contributions of their replacements—may ultimately determine whether they leave Breisgau with all three points.
