Bayern Munich’s failure against Stuttgart in the Bundesliga on Saturday saw defender Raphael Guerreiro suffer a serious injury, ruling him out of the second leg match against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals next midweek.
Just as Bayern Munich was regaining momentum, injuries struck again. Guerreiro, who started as a central midfielder in the away match against Stuttgart in the 32nd round of the Bundesliga, was forced off the field after just 16 minutes of play. The Portuguese player sustained an ankle injury while attempting to block a shot from Angelo Stiller.
This injury ensures Guerreiro’s absence in the rematch against Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg. In the first leg match, Guerreiro started on the bench and was brought on in the beginning of the second half to replace Leon Goretzka, who had performed poorly in the first 45 minutes. The presence of the 30-year-old player significantly improved Bayern Munich’s performance compared to the first half.
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Guerreiro’s absence means that central midfielder Goretzka is likely to remain the preferred choice for coach Thomas Tuchel in the upcoming trip to Spain next midweek, as the German tactician has few quality options in the midfield – an area that has traditionally been a strong point for Real Madrid.
This is Guerreiro’s first season with the Bavarian club, having arrived on a free transfer from Dortmund. However, the Portuguese international has proven himself in the latter part of the season with strong performances in both midfield and even on the left flank. His versatility, showcased particularly in the latter half of the season, has earned him priority in Tuchel’s tactical setup.
Returning to Bayern Munich’s match last night, the defeat against this direct competitor puts the Bavarians at risk of losing their second-place position. Currently, the team at the Allianz Arena has 69 points, but they are only ahead of Stuttgart in third place by a narrow margin of 2 points, with just two more rounds left in the 2023/24 Bundesliga season.