Joao Palhinha’s year could potentially come to an early end after suffering an injury while on international duty with Portugal. The Bayern Munich midfielder sustained a significant muscle tear in his right adductor, which is a crucial area connecting the hip and thigh. This injury, confirmed by Bayern Munich on Tuesday, will sadly sideline him for the upcoming weeks, causing him to miss critical fixtures for both his club and country.
His absence was already felt in Portugal’s recent matches, including their impressive 5-1 victory over Poland in the Nations League on Friday, where his defensive skills could have contributed to the team’s dominance. Additionally, he missed the tightly contested 1-1 draw against Croatia on Monday, a match where his presence might have strengthened Portugal’s midfield.
In the immediate future, Palhinha’s injury poses a challenge for Bayern Munich as they face a tough schedule ahead. He is expected to miss crucial games, such as the upcoming clash against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League. This match is particularly pivotal, given the stature and quality of PSG in European football. Following that, Bayern is set to take on Borussia Dortmund in one of the biggest rivalries in German football—the Klassiker—on November 30. The stakes are always high in this encounter, and Palhinha’s physicality and tactical awareness would have been a significant asset.
Moreover, the week after the Klassiker, Bayern will be up against the defending champions Bayer Leverkusen in the German Cup on December 3, another opportunity that his team will need to navigate without his services.
Reports from German media suggest that Palhinha’s recovery timeline might extend beyond the winter break, which is a significant concern for Bayern Munich. Their last game before the break is scheduled for December 20, and the team will have to adapt to his absence for several vital matches.
In light of these circumstances, Bayern may need to depend heavily on Leon Goretzka, who has found himself in a more peripheral role this season. As he steps in to fill the void left by Palhinha, the team will also be looking at Aleksandar Pavlovic, who is gradually coming back from surgery on a broken collarbone he sustained last month. Although Pavlovic has managed some aspects of training with the team, his full return remains uncertain, adding further pressure on Bayern’s midfield depth as they navigate this challenging period without crucial players.
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