The Bayern camp was reasonably satisfied with Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Borussia Dortmund, but the serious injury sustained by Holger Badstuber meant the mood was sombre. “It’s a bitter blow,” commented coach Jupp Heynckes after emerging from the home dressing room, “the players were very shocked.” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge expressed sympathy: “Naturally, it’s put a real damper on our evening.”
With 35 minutes played, the centre-back twisted his knee awkwardly in an accidental collision with Javi Martinez and Dortmund’s Mario Götze, and was carried off on a stretcher two minutes later. “He said his studs got stuck in the turf and he felt it go immediately,” reported Rummenigge. The pain clearly etched on the player’s face pointed to the seriousness of the injury, which was confirmed in an initial diagnosis from the dressing room as a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament.
Five to six-month lay-off
On Sunday morning, Badstuber reported to FCB chief medical officer Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt for an MRI scan and a detailed examination. Müller-Wohlfahrt confirmed the initial diagnosis, although he was fortunately unable to determine any further damage to the joint. The player will undergo surgery on Monday, and will be sidelined for five to six months.
Badstuber made a comeback from a torn muscle just 11 days ago, but will now be out of action for up to half a year with the much more problematic ligament damage. “He was just getting back up to speed,” a subdued Heynckes said, “it’s a real choker for the lad.” The club’s current injury roster now comprises Badstuber, Arjen Robben (sprain), Luiz Gustavo (groin surgery), Emre Can (ligaments) and backup keeper Lukas Raeder (cruciate).
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