Bayern Munich's Jerome Boateng faces injury lay-off
Saturday 23 January 2016 16:32, UK
Bayern Munich face a mini defensive injury crisis after centre-back Jerome Boateng was ruled out for several weeks with a groin injury.
The 27-year-old had to be helped off in the second half of Bayern's 2-1 win at Hamburg on Friday, when the Bundesliga resumed following its winter break.
Boateng will definitely miss next Saturday's game at home to bottom side Hoffenheim, then Bayer Leverkusen away in a fortnight, and faces a race against time to be fit for Bayern's Champions League last-16 first-leg clash at Juventus in a month.
"We have a problem, but we'll find a solution," said coach Pep Guardiola.
A scan in Munich on Saturday confirmed Boateng had injured the left side of his groin, but the club has only said he faces a "long pause".
His injury leaves Bayern short in defence, with centre-back Medhi Benatia and wing-back Rafinha also sidelined.
"Things are slowly getting a bit tight in defence and it's important that we get a few injured people back soon," said captain Philipp Lahm.
"I don't have an explanation as to why we are picking up so many injuries all of a sudden."
However, there was some good news as left-back Juan Bernat returned to full training on Saturday for the first time since October after a groin injury.
