The prolonged absence of Arjen Robben has had little impact on Bayern Munich. The Bundesliga leader now has to show it can also overcome the injury to Bastian Schweinsteiger, arguably the team’s most important midfielder.
Schweinsteiger broke his collarbone in the 3-2 Champions League win over Napoli and underwent surgery hours after the match. The club said on Thursday that Schweinsteiger would miss the rest of the year.
Bayern has opened a four-point lead on top of the Bundesliga and travels to Bavarian neighbour Augsburg tomorrow. The promoted club has only one win in 11 games.
Also tomorrow, second-place Schalke travels to Hannover. Defending champion Borussia Dortmund hosts Wolfsburg today.
Schweinsteiger has matured into Bayern’s chief midfield strategist. Hardly any forward move goes without Schweinsteiger being involved. He provided the pass for one of Mario Gomez’s three goals against Napoli.
After he was taken out on a stretcher early in the second half, Bayern lost control of the match and conceded another goal.
“You could see in the second half what an important player for our team Bastian is,” coach Jupp Heynckes said. “You could notice that there was a fissure in our game after he left. He is our pacesetter in midfield and he was in great form. The injury hurts us.
“So far we’ve been able to compensate for injuries. I hope we can continue to do that.”
Robben, usually one of Bayern’s most influential players, has made only four league appearances this season because of back and groin injuries. The club has not given an updated prediction for his comeback.
But that hasn’t prevented Bayern from dominating the domestic competition.
One of the reasons for Bayern’s success has been Mario Gomez. The striker has 19 goals in 17 games this season – with 12 coming in the 10 Bundesliga matches he’s played.
“The numbers are something for the public,” Gomez said. “What remains forever are titles with the team - the German Cup, championship, and it’d be great if I can contribute.”
Heynckes praised Gomez after Wednesday’s match against Napoli.
“It’s not only because of three goals that Mario played an excellent match, he was also outstanding in defence. You can’t play better,” the demanding coach said.
Schalke’s transition from coach Ralf Rangnick to Huub Stevens has been seamless and the team is looking to cement its place at the top. The trip to Hannover involves a showdown with another Europa League competitor.
Dortmund, bolstered by its first win in the Champions League after a 1-0 triumph over Olympiakos, will be seeking to reclaim second place against Wolfsburg. Dortmund is one point behind Schalke.
Wolfsburg has been inconsistent and has lost midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger to knee surgery. Felix Magath’s team began the season hoping to claim one of the spots in Europe, but is languishing in 12th place.
Today, Werder Bremen hosts Cologne, Nuremberg plays Freiburg, Kaiserslautern travels to Hoffenheim, Hertha Berlin faces Borussia Moenchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen hosts Hamburg SV.