Bayern Focused on St Pauli Win Amid Injury Crisis

With the Bundesliga leaders depending on a victory to keep on track for the title, Bayern Munich’s defence will have to be completely remade for the visit of lowly St Pauli on Saturday following injuries to Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano.

The Bavarians, who have Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals next month, have gone two games without a Bundesliga triumph and their lead over second-placed Bayer Leverkusener has been cut to six points.

While reigning champions Leverkusen are on 56, Bayern are top with 62. With 45 Mainz 05 ranks in third place.

The leaders of the Bundesliga have to rearrange their rearguard following left back departure. In Canada’s 2-1 victory over the United States in the CONCACAF Nations League third-place playoff on Sunday, Davies suffered an ACL injury to his right knee in the 12th minute.

The 24-year-old will seriously compromise the ambitions of Bayern coach Vincent Kompany by missing the balance of the season. Bayern will also be without Upamecano for weeks following the Frenchman’s Nations League quarter-final victory over Croatia but sustained a knee injury.

With possible replacements Eric Dier, Josip Stanisic or Hiroki Ito losing part of their pace, the tandem is Bayern’s fastest defenders and most suited for Kompany’s high-pressing, quick transition game.

Bayern will try to prevent another home disaster following their 3-2 loss to opponents VfL Bochum in their most recent home encounter, after leading 2-0. They then proceeded with a 1-1 draw at Union Berlin before entering the international break last week.

Said sports director Max Eberl, Bayern would not veer from their season goals despite injury setbacks.

“The absences of Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano are a big blow for Bayern,” Eberl stated.