Bayern Munich are facing a major goalkeeping crisis ahead of their Champions League last 16 second leg against Atalanta, with all three senior keepers sidelined by injury.
First choice Manuel Neuer, back up Jonas Urbig and experienced reserve Sven Ulreich have all been ruled out, leaving coach Vincent Kompany short of options.
Neuer suffered a calf muscle tear during Bayern’s 4–1 Bundesliga win over Borussia Mönchengladbach and has been unavailable since early March.
The 39 year old captain had already missed several games with similar problems and is not expected to feature in either leg against Atalanta.
His understudy Jonas Urbig is also out after sustaining a concussion, with medical staff unwilling to risk him before he fully completes recovery protocols.
That left Ulreich to start in goal against Bayer Leverkusen at the weekend, but he picked up a right adductor injury late in the 1–1 draw.
Bayern later confirmed that Ulreich had suffered a torn muscle fibre in his adductor and will be out for several weeks.
Local reports suggest he could miss up to six weeks, ruling him out of the Atalanta clash and several Bundesliga fixtures.
With the top three keepers unavailable and reserve team No. 1 Leon Klanac also injured, Bayern are now considering teenage options.
Sixteen year old Leonard Prescott and 19 year old Jannis Baertl are among those being lined up, with Prescott seen as the leading candidate to start in the Champions League.
Prescott has already appeared on the bench in recent matches and could make a high pressure debut on Europe’s biggest stage.
The situation means Bayern may go into a decisive European game effectively using their fifth choice goalkeeper.
Analysts say the crisis places extra pressure on Bayern’s defence and could influence Kompany’s tactics against Atalanta.
They also note that any mistake from an inexperienced keeper could prove costly at this stage of the competition.
Despite the setback, Bayern remain favourites to progress, but their injury plagued goalkeeping department has become a major concern for supporters.
Club officials are expected to review long term plans for the position once Neuer’s future and fitness become clearer at the end of the season.
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