Injury-ravaged Bayern determined to remain on course in title race

The Bundesliga returns after the international break, with Bayern Munich hosting St. Pauli after Bayer Leverkusen take on Bochum.

Bayern Munich’s defense will have to be overhauled for the visit of lowly St. Pauli on Saturday following injuries to Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano.

The Bundesliga leaders, who face Inter in the Champions League quarter-finals next month, have gone two league games without a win, and their lead over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen has been cut to six points.

Bayern lead the way with 62 while reigning champions Leverkusen are on 56 points. Mainz are in third place with 45.

They must reshuffle their rearguard after left-back Davies suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear during Canada’s 2-1 win over the United States in the Concacaf Nations League on Sunday.

The 24-year-old will miss the rest of the season in a major blow to Bayern coach Vincent Kompany’s plans.

Bayern will also be without center-back Upamecano for several weeks after he sustained a knee injury during France’s Nations League quarter-final triumph over Croatia.

The pair have been crucial to Kompany’s high-pressing, quick transition game, with likely replacements Eric Dier, Josip Stanisic, or Hiroki Ito lacking their recovery pace.

However, Kompany reconfigures his defense; Bayern will want to avoid another home debacle after their 3-2 loss to Bochum last time out at the Allianz Arena, having led 2-0. They followed that up with a 1-1 draw at Union Berlin prior to the international break. 

Despite their injury setbacks, Bayern will not budge from their lofty targets, said sporting director Max Eberl.

“The absences of Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano are a big blow for Bayern,” Eberl said.

“But our squad is strong enough and will make up for these absences.

“This will bring us more closer together. We have the quality to remain focused on all our major goals this season.”

Saturday’s game offers Harry Kane an opportunity to make history, having recorded 97 goal involvements (76 goals, 21 assists) in all competitions since joining Bayern. He could become the fastest player on record (since 2008-09) to reach 100 for the Bavarian giants.