Bundesliga
Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka is set for a spell on the sidelines after being forced to undergo an operation to clear up a persistent thigh problem.
The German champions reported on Wednesday that Goretzka had had surgery to “remove a haemotoma” on his left thigh, and – although this was successful – it means that the 24-year-old will now be out of action for an unspecified “period of time.”
The Germany international played all 90 minutes in the season-opening DFL Supercup loss to Borussia Dortmund and scored after coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 DFB Cup win over Energie Cottbus on 12 August. But he had yet to feature in the Bundesliga this season after being dogged by a niggling injury.
Watch: See why Goretzka was named Bundesliga Player of the Month in January
The former Schalke central midfielder recovered well enough to take his place on the substitute’s bench for Bayern’s 6-1 victory over Mainz on Matchday 3, but he suffered a recurrence of his injury last week while preparing for Germany’s two recent UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers.
The Bochum native joined Bayern from Schalke last season, winning a league and cup double after registering nine goals and seven assists in 42 appearances across all competitions in 2018/19.