Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer has been ruled out of the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie against Atalanta due to a calf muscle tear sustained during a recent Bundesliga match. The club confirmed the injury following their 4-1 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday. Backup goalkeeper Jonas Urbig is expected to start in Neuer's place.
Bayern Munich announced on Saturday that captain Manuel Neuer suffered a small muscle fiber tear in his left calf during the Bundesliga match against Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday evening. The 39-year-old goalkeeper, who will turn 40 later this month, felt discomfort in the first half and was substituted at halftime. The club's medical department confirmed the diagnosis after an in-depth examination, stating that Neuer "will be out for the time being."
This injury marks the second calf muscle tear for Neuer in as many months. He previously missed three matches, including the Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund on February 28, which Bayern won 3-2, and a game against Werder Bremen last month. Last season, Neuer was sidelined for 10 games due to a similar issue. No official return timeline has been provided, though German tabloid Bild reported he could be out for two weeks, potentially missing both legs of the Champions League tie against Atalanta as well as the Bundesliga match against Bayer Leverkusen.
The first leg against Atalanta is scheduled for Tuesday in Italy, with the return leg in Munich on March 18. Bayern's head coach Vincent Kompany commented after the Monchengladbach game, saying to Sky: "Manu felt a little something in his calf. It's obviously very short notice until the next game. I don't want to speculate too much yet. Let's see what comes out."
Jonas Urbig, the 22-year-old backup, is set to feature. He has prior Champions League experience, including clean sheets in both legs against Bayer Leverkusen last spring, though he struggled against Inter Milan. Neuer's contract with Bayern expires at the end of the season, and the club has reportedly offered a one-year extension despite his recurrent injuries.
