João Palhinha is at risk of missing out on FC Bayern Munich. As the German football record champions announced, the defensive midfielder left the Portuguese national team due to an adductor injury. Palhinha will therefore miss his national team’s international matches in the UEFA Nations League on Friday against Poland and next week in Croatia.
Particularly bitter after Pavlovic’s injury
Further examinations and treatment are pending in Munich. How long the midfielder will have to take a break remains to be seen. A loss would be particularly painful for FC Bayern, as German national player Aleksandar Pavlovic is already sidelined due to a broken collarbone. Other candidates for the position alongside midfield boss Joshua Kimmich would be Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer in the event of another forced break.
Pavlovic’s injury gave Palhinha, who was signed from FC Fulham in the summer for around 50 million euros, the long-awaited chance to prove himself. The 29-year-old was convincing and improved the stability of Munich’s defensive game. Palhinha played a key role in Bayern’s recent winning streak without conceding a goal.
Praise from coach Kompany
“João arrived well with us. “He’s a real team player, a strong character, even when he didn’t play that much,” said coach Vincent Kompany recently. “He’s a good guy and has arrived well in Munich.”
After the international break, Bayern will play a home game against FC Augsburg on November 22nd (8:30 p.m.). This is followed by three more difficult tasks in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain (November 26th), in the Bundesliga against Borussia Dortmund (November 30th) and in the DFB Cup against Bayer Leverkusen (December 3rd). A loss by Palhinha would hurt Kompany.