Hansi Flick Admits Thiago Injury Worry Ahead of Eintracht Frankfurt & Borussia Dortmund Clashes
By Mitch Wilks
Bayern Munich manager Hansi Flick has revealed Thiago Alcantara is a doubt for this weekend's match against Eintracht Frankfurt, and could miss their clash with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
Thiago played the full 90 minutes last weekend as Bayern eased past Union Berlin with a 2-0 victory to remain top of the Bundesliga, but is dealing with a muscular injury ahead of Der Klassiker.
Before Bayern head to Dortmund to face their title rivals, they host Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday, but will have one eye on Tuesday's clash.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference as quoted by Goal ahead of the Bundesliga's weekend of fixtures, Flick cast doubt over Thiago's availability, revealing: "With Serge [Gnabry], it looks good. With Thiago, we have to wait. We hope that we have both with us."
The 29-year-old has missed training with the injury, which leaves Bayern without a key member of their midfield in a time when every point matters. Gnabry also suffered a training injury early in the week, but is once again available after recovering.
Bayern have a list of pre-existing long-term injuries to a number of players, but Flick noted that there were no updates, confirming it's "the same as last week".
Philippe Coutinho and Corentin Tolisso remain unavailable with injuries and defender Niklas Sule is still rehabbing a knee injury suffered in October, but hopes to be back on the pitch before the end of the season.
Flick added: "Niklas has expressed the wish to play this season. We have to see how stability in the knee allows."
Thiago has been key for Bayern once again this campaign, making 33 appearances in all competitions as he continues to cement his reputation as one of the best midfielders in Europe.
Bayern will hope the Spaniard can recover over the weekend and be available for Tuesday's clash with Dortmund. Flick's side are currently top of the league on 58 points, but Dortmund sit in second on 54 and will use last weekend's derby thrashing of Schalke as inspiration.
A win for Lucien Favre's side would put Bayern under supreme pressure, as the Bundesliga title race looks to go down to the wire.