Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany has confirmed that veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will likely miss the remainder of the year after suffering a broken rib.
The German shot-stopper picked up the injury during Bayern’s 1-0 DFB-Pokal defeat to Bayer Leverkusen last week, which also forced him to sit out Saturday’s 4-2 win over Heidenheim.
Softfootball gathers that Kompany addressed the injury during his pre-match press conference ahead of Bayern’s Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. He said:
He has broken a rib. He probably won’t play again this year. The important thing is that he now heals. Then hopefully we’ll have Manu back in January.
With Neuer sidelined, Daniel Peretz has stepped in and looks set to remain Bayern’s first-choice goalkeeper for the foreseeable future. Kompany made clear he has full confidence in his deputy stepping up to the challenge. He added:
I’d never ask a player to be a copy of another. He need to play his game and has earned his minutes.
Bayern will now navigate a busy festive period without their long-serving number one between the posts.
