Bayern Munich’s Josip Stanisic to Miss ‘Several Weeks’ With Knee Injury – News18

Bayern Munich will not be able to rely on the services of their defender Josip Stanisic as he is set to miss ‘several weeks’ after picking up a knee injury during training, the club announced on Tuesday.

According to the statement made by the club, Stanisic tore the lateral ligament on his right knee during training on Monday and is set to undergo an operation for the same.

The Croatian international had a stellar stint with Bayer Leverkusen in the previous season where he did the double by winning the Bundesliga and the German Cup.

Bayern sporting director Max Eberl said on the club’s in-house TV channel on Tuesday that Stanisic, who has 20 caps for Croatia, “will be missing for the next few weeks, unfortunately.”

The club are already light on defenders as they aim to bounce back after their first trophyless season in 11 years. The new signing, Hiroki Ito will also miss the the first few weeks of the new season due to a foot injury.

Another big loss is that of Matthijs de Ligt who has reunited with his former Ajax manager in Erik ten Hag with Manchester United along with the full-back Noussair Mazaroui also leaving the German giants

Bayern opens the 2024-25 season on Sunday away at Wolfsburg. The season will also be a first for the new man at the helm, former Belgian international and Manchester City player, Vincent Kompany who made the switch following his stint with the Championship side, Burnley.

Bayern will open their Bundesliga season as they take on VFL Wolfsburg at the Volkswagen Arena on Sunday, August 25. The Munich-based club will be eager to kick off their campaign with a win and their first three-points as they look to bounce back after a below-par performance last year.

The onus will be on the likes of Harry Kane, and Jamal Musiala among others to lead from the front in the attack but the defensive lines could be a little weak with the injuries along with the player departures which could pose a challenge to Kompany on his first match day as the manager of the club.