Bayern Munich's 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker has come at a heavy price, with Ismael Saibari already undergoing surgery on a torn ankle ligament and Serge Gnabry ruled out with a muscle injury in his left thigh.
Bayern confirmed the double blow on Sunday lunchtime, less than 24 hours after both players were forced off in the first half at the Allianz Arena. Neither has been given a return date, with the club saying both will be missing "for the time being". You can read our full report of Saturday's Klassiker draw here.
Saibari's Season Interrupted by Surgery
Saibari tore the syndesmotic ligament in his right ankle in a challenge with Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, after being played through by Konrad Laimer in the 24th minute. The 25-year-old Morocco international stayed down in clear pain, was helped off by Bayern's medical staff and was later seen leaving the stadium on crutches.
Bayern's statement, published by the club and reported by Reuters, confirmed he has already undergone successful surgery — the clearest sign this is a long-term absence rather than a short lay-off. It is a cruel blow for a player who had forced his way into the side, starting in midfield in the Klassiker and making eight Bundesliga appearances this season.
Sporting director Max Eberl admitted after the final whistle that both injuries looked "somewhat more serious" than first hoped, and Sunday's diagnoses have proved him right.
Gnabry Follows Him Out Two Minutes Later
Gnabry's afternoon ended just two minutes after Saibari's departure. The Germany winger felt his left thigh, received treatment and was replaced by Josip Stanisic in the 31st minute. Bayern have diagnosed a muscle injury in the posterior left thigh, and while he is expected back sooner than Saibari, no timescale has been set.
There is also a lingering question over Michael Olise, who limped off late in the game with an apparent muscle problem. Bayern offered no update on the French playmaker in Sunday's statement, leaving his status for the week ahead unconfirmed.
So What Does It Mean?
The timing could hardly be worse. Bayern travel to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday before a trip to Mainz next weekend, and they do so already stretched: Luis Diaz and Jamal Musiala were already absent, and head coach Vincent Kompany's own health problems have left his staff overseeing training in recent days. A squad that looked deep in August suddenly looks thin in the positions that decide big games.
Dortmund, meanwhile, will quietly note that the point they took in Munich cost their rivals far more than it cost them.
Beyond the Final Whistle: A 2-2 draw at home is a frustration; losing two starters in two first-half minutes is a crisis in slow motion. Bayern's season will not be decided by the Klassiker result — it may be decided by how long Saibari and Gnabry are missing, and whether Olise joins them. Depth was supposed to be Bayern's insurance policy. The next month will show whether it pays out.
How big a blow is this for Bayern's title and European hopes? Let us know in the comments.
