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Bayern Munich are facing a defensive nightmare just days before their crucial Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Inter. Head coach Vincent Kompany will be forced to make tough decisions as injuries pile up in the most fragile area of his team.
The biggest blow comes from Alphonso Davies, who suffered a torn ACL and is officially out for the remainder of the season. In the same time frame, Dayot Upamecano also picked up a significant injury—a joint issue in his left knee that will keep him sidelined for at least six weeks.
To make matters worse, Manuel Neuer is still recovering from a calf injury and may not be fit in time, leaving the door open for 21-year-old Urbig to start in goal. Defensive partner Kim Min-jae, recently back in training after a month out, remains a doubt in terms of match fitness.
As it stands, Kompany may have to rely on makeshift options: Hiroki Ito or Eric Dier in central defense, and a left side covered either by Raphaël Guerreiro or the versatile Josip Stanisic, neither of whom are natural starters in those roles.
Throughout the season, Bayern have masked their defensive frailties with sheer offensive power, but against a disciplined and tactically sharp Inter side, missing key defenders could prove costly.
Meanwhile, Inter are hopeful to have Lautaro Martinez back in action this week for the Coppa Italia derby—a potential boost ahead of the European showdown in Munich.
