Bayern Munich's David Alaba set to undergo knee surgery
Bayern Munich defender David Alaba has been sidelined for several weeks due to a knee injury after he suffered a partial tear of the medial ligament and damaged his meniscus of the right knee during the team's 2-0 win over Roma in a group stage match of the UEFA Champions League.
The 22-year-old was replaced in the 81st minute following the injury during the match at the Allianz Arena.
"This is quite bitter for me. I hope to return to the pitch very soon with the help of our medical team," Alaba told the club’s website. “it’s been going so well for me and the team. Once I’ve had the operation, I’ll start a sports rehab programme as soon as the doc allows it. Hopefully, with the help of our medical unit, I’ll soon be back out on the pitch.”
The Austrian international will undergo a surgery in the coming days, the club has confirmed stating, “After a lengthy and exhaustive examination at Dr Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt’s practice and consultation with other specialist doctors, the FCB chief medical officer confirmed his diagnosis of a partial tear of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and damage to the medial meniscus. Alaba will require surgery and faces several weeks on the sidelines.”
“This is very bad news. We’re losing a top player who can fill every position and always gives it 100 percent. It’s a real shame,” head coach Pep Guardiola said.
It is the second injury blow for the Bavarians as they lost striker Claudio Pizzaro to a thigh injury Wednesday. Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez are also unavailable due to their injuries.
Bayern Munich lead the Bundesliga standings with a four-point advantage, followed by Wolfsburg and Monchengladbach.