Agency Report –
Munich – Bayern Munich centre back Min jae Kim is the latest name at the Bundesliga leaders to suffer an injury.
The South Korea international will be out for “the next couple of weeks” with an Achilles problem, coach Vincent Kompany told a news conference on Friday ahead of Saturday’s league game at Union Berlin.
“We have to make sure we don’t overload him. Hopefully it’s not too worrying.”
An international break following the weekend action offers Kim the chance to get fit.
According to head of sport Max Eberl, there will be no operation. The aim is for Kim to be available again for the Champions League quarter-final against Inter Milan on April 8 and 16.
Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic continue to be out with injury and illness, while João Palhinha is suspended against the Berliners after his red card in last weekend’s 3-2 home loss to Bochum.
The Bochum hiccup was followed by a commanding Champions League last-16 defeat of German rivals Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. Kompany expects another “complete performance’ against Union.
Defender Eric Dier, left out of former Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad on Friday, is likely to deputize for Kim.
Dier brings “something fundamental” to the Bayern team thanks to his professionalism and always fulfils his role, Kompany added.
The Bayern coach thinks the fact Union boss Steffen Baumgart will not be in the dugout due to suspension will have some impact.
“Especially when it comes to energy,” joked Kompany, aware of Baumgart’s frantic persona on the touchline.
