Hansi Flick Provides Injury Update on Joshua Kimmich After Borussia Dortmund Win
Hansi Flick has said Bayern Munich will have to 'wait and see' the extent of Joshua Kimmich's injury, after the midfielder was forced off in the first half of Saturday's Der Klassiker victory.
A lunging challenge from Erling Haaland at Signal Iduna Park resulted in Kimmich being substituted as he was helped off the pitch by Bayern's medical staff, being replaced by Corentin Tolisso. Early reports suggest he has suffered knee damage, and although the extent is unclear at this stage, the 25-year-old appeared visibly distressed as he left the pitch.
Flick was on hand to console him with a hug, and told the club's official website after the game that we will have to 'wait and see' if he will be out for an extended period.
Joshua Kimmich is replaced by @CorentinTolisso ?
— FC Bayern English (@FCBayernEN) November 7, 2020
Stay strong, kid ?
?⚪ #BVBFCB 0-0 (36') pic.twitter.com/vVzAaMkLri
"We'll have to wait and see," he said. "He's one of our key players in that position. A lay-off wouldn't be easy to deal with."
He further added, per Goal: "Joshua will fly with us and then be examined. I don't know yet and don't want to anticipate anything. We have to wait now. I am not participating in speculation.
"He's an important player for us in this position. In addition to his mentality, he also has outstanding quality. It'll be difficult, but we made it today [Saturday] against a good Dortmund team."
(☀️) No exact diagnosis for Kimmich ?? yet. The player is suspected to have suffered a lateral ligament (LCL) injury in his knee. It remains to be seen whether the ligament is torn or sprained. If it's torn, it will require surgery and he would be out for 2-3 months. [Bild] #FCB pic.twitter.com/gykmtwtsUh
— RouteOneFootball (@Route1futbol) November 8, 2020
Bayern won the top-of-the table slobberknocker 3-2, but after Kimmich left the field in tears, it looks like a serious injury to one of the champions' top performers has overshadowed the victory. The Bundesliga's official website notes that the injury is to his right knee, and suggests it is unlikely he will feature for Germany in the forthcoming international break.
Bild note that a sprained ligament looks like the best case scenario, and in that instance, he would face two to four weeks out - giving Bayern hope he could be back for their next fixture against Werder Bremen in two weeks' time, although that does seem a little fanciful.
He has already assisted seven goals in 11 appearances this season, looking instrumental to any hopes the Bavarians have of repeating an historic treble, so they will be desperate to get him back involved as soon as possible.