Bayern Munich were dealt a major blow on Sunday after scans revealed that star centre back Jérôme Boateng will miss most of the remaining season after suffering a groin injury.
Boateng was carried off 10 minutes into the second half during Bayern Munich’s 2-1 win at Hamburger SV in the first match of the Bundesliga after the winter break. MRI scans carried out by the club doctors have revealed that Boateng injured his left adductor muscle and is likely to miss “upto 3 months”, according to German newspaper Bild.
Bayern Munich’s official twitter account later confirmed that the German international is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a groin injury against Hamburger.
Bad news: Jérôme Boateng is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a groin injury in Hamburg.
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) January 23, 2016
Boateng injury has European ramifications for Guardiola and Bayern Munich
The news of Jerome Boateng’s injury has severe ramifications for Pep Guardiola’s ambitions of lifting his first European crown as the manager of Bayern Munich. With his side steamrolling opposition teams in the German Bundesliga, Guardiola’s real challenge (in the absence of Boateng) lies in guiding the Die Roten to their sixth European Cup. Guardiola has had to contend with a minor injury crisis in defence this season with Juan Bernat, Javi Martinez and Holger Badstuber out injured for most of the current campaign.
However, Boateng’s loss through injury has robbed Guardiola of his most reliable defender in Bayern Munich’s first team. His ability to deal with the absence of Boateng for upto 3 months will have a major bearing on the destination of the UEFA Champions League trophy come the end of the season.
