Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich will miss the last game of the year at lowly Heidenheim on Sunday due to injury. "We have had so many games.
Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich will miss the last game of the year at lowly Heidenheim on Sunday due to injury.
"We have had so many games. And at some point the pain is simply too much," coach Vincent Kompany told a news conference on Saturday about the ankle problems that have been bothering the Germany captain since November.
Also absent on Sunday will be captain Manuel Neuer (hamstring tear), Konrad Laimer (suspension), Nicolas Jackson (Africa Cup of Nations), Sacha Boey (ill) and Jamal Musiala, who is not yet fit after his leg fracture.
In their 25th competitive match of the season, a point is enough for Bundesliga leaders Bayern to celebrate the unofficial crown of "winter champions" early.
"It is not about load management or about not wanting to take a risk," Kompany explained regarding Kimmich. "But he could not train this week. And he has actually been playing beyond his pain threshold. At the moment it is a bit too much."
Kimmich is expected to be able to train and play for Bayern again at the start of the 2026 World Cup year, Kompany said.
"I think he will be back as normal in January," added Kompany. "But he will miss this game." Bayern have a break after the Heidenheim game until returning to training on January 3.
After a minor eye procedure at the start of the week, forward Michael Olise is available. Fellow forward Luis Díaz also returns after suspension.
After the 2-2 draw against bottom club Mainz last Sunday, Bayern want a win before the festive period. "We feel we have to show a reaction," added Kompany.
No January signings
Head of sport Max Eberl reiterated that Bayern will make no January signings.
"We are not looking outside because we have our squad. We can, of course, prepare things now in the winter that might be of interest in the summer. But in the winter we will not add anything external," Eberl said. The transfer window opens on January 1.
The focus of the management in the coming weeks and months will instead be on whether to extend the contracts of several players.
These include captain Manuel Neuer, 39, Dayot Upamecano, 27, Serge Gnabry, 30, Leon Goretzka, 30, and Raphael Guerreiro, 31.
"We are having our talks, we are conducting our negotiations. We are also on a good path in one or the other case," Eberl said.
The "top priority" at present, he stressed, is an extension for centre back Upamecano. The France defender has been linked in the media with Real Madrid.
Category: General Sports
