Problems are mounting for Bayern Munich. The reigning champions of Germany will have to replace Joshua Kimmich in Saturday’s away game against Augsburg. The 28-year-old will be absent due to a shoulder injury – marking the third setback within a few days.First the bad news about Dayot Upamecano, then the devastating news about Konrad Laimer – and now Bayern’s head coach Thomas Tuchel had to announce the absence of Joshua Kimmich as well. The German international, like the aforementioned duo, will be unavailable for the Bundesliga’s second-placed team.Tuchel confirmed this on Friday at the matchday press conference before the duel with the Fuggerstadt team. Kimmich is nursing a shoulder injury sustained in stoppage time during the rescheduled match against Union Berlin (1-0) on Wednesday. After an aerial duel, the 28-year-old landed heavily on his left shoulder and had to receive treatment. Tuchel confirmed the news of the defender’s absence and stated that it’s “very difficult to make a statement” about the duration of the absence. At least there won’t have to be any surgery on the troublesome shoulder.Bayern confirm the diagnoses:• Dayot Upamecano has sustained a left hamstring strain • Konrad Laimer has torn a muscle in his left calf• Joshua Kimmich suffered an injury to his left shoulder All 3 players will be sidelined for the time being pic.twitter.com/GZ7ZjTPyYU— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) January 26, 2024 Kimmich has appeared in 14 out of Bayern’s 18 matches this season – always in the starting lineup – scoring one goal and providing three assists. He would have likely been important as a right-back against Augsburg, as Laimer, who occupied the position against Union Berlin, is also unavailable. Laimer will be out for weeks, Tuchel also confirmed. The Austrian also suffered a calf injury during the Union match, and a longer absence had already been suggested. Upamecano is expected to be out for several weeks due to a hamstring injury.Tuchel must now get creative in assembling his defensive lineup. Kim Min-jae and Noussair Mazraoui, who are at the Asia and AFCON, respectively, are not available for the Augsburg match. Bouna Sarr (torn ACL in the left knee) is also unavailable, leaving few options. Bayern’s head coach may now bid farewell to his back four and instead opt for a back three with Matthijs de Ligt, recent signing Eric Dier, and the benched Alphonso Davies. Tuchel might be tempted into making a significant shake-up.”I don’t know if deploying a completely new system against Augsburg will help us unless I have a completely crazy night.”##NAJAVA_MECA_7828749##What is certain is that Leon Goretzka and Aleksandar Pavlovic will play together in midfield, and the central defence will consist of De Ligt and Dier. In a back four, the makeshift solution at right-back could be Raphael Guerreiro.In the background, the officials are working on another defensive signing. After Bayern decided against signing Kieran Trippier, the club is currently pursuing right-back Sacha Boey from Galatasaray. However, Tuchel does not believe he will become “a player of FC Bayern today.”BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 19Friday22.30: (2.15) Eintr.Frankfurt (3.35) Mainz (3.45)Saturday 17.30: (8.50) Augsburg (5.60) Bayern (1.32)17.30: (1.70) Hoffenheim (3.90) Heidenheim (4.90)17.30: (2.70) Stuttgart (3.40) RB Leipzig (2.55)17.30: (2.50) Werder (3.40) Freiburg (2.80)17.30: (1.83) Wolfsburg (3.50) Koln (4.50)20.30: (1.30) Leverkusen (5.90) M’ gladbach (9.00)Sunday 17.30: (1.65) Union Berlin (4.00) Darmstadt (6.00)19.30: (1.35) Dortmund (5.30) Bochum (8.00)***odds are subject to change
