Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart Face Key Player Absences Ahead of Crucial Bundesliga Matches

Ahead of their important Bundesliga fixtures, both Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart are grappling with significant player absences that will impact their team lineups.

Bayern Munich's vice-captain Joshua Kimmich is set to miss the first competitive match of the year against VfL Wolfsburg due to ongoing ankle problems. Kimmich has been sidelined since the international break in November and remains on an individual rehab program, not yet training with the team. Coach Vincent Kompany must choose a replacement for Kimmich, who also missed the previous match against Heidenheim. Leon Goretzka is the most likely candidate for Kimmich’s midfield role, with alternatives including Tom Bischof, Konrad Laimer, and Raphael Guerreiro. Bayern’s sporting director Max Eberl highlighted the importance of allowing Kimmich full recovery to avoid risking his availability for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, VfB Stuttgart faces a daunting shortage with eight outfield players expected to miss their match against Bayer Leverkusen. The injured list includes Tiago Tomás, who suffered a serious injury requiring several weeks out, Dan-Axel Zagadou, Luca Jaquez, Ameen Al-Dakhil, Lazar Jovanovic, and Milan Jovanovic. Bilal El Khannouss is also absent due to the Africa Cup. The good news for Stuttgart is the return of striker Ermedin Demirovic from a mid-foot injury and the inclusion of winter signing Jeremy Arévalo, who is set to make his squad debut though he may start on the bench. Coach Sebastian Hoeneß emphasized patience with Arévalo’s adaptation, stating he could become a quick impact player.

These absences pose challenges for Munich and Stuttgart, potentially affecting their tactical approaches and performance in key Bundesliga matches as the season continues.