Upamecano still questionable for Stuttgart clash, Kompany reveals
Despite some promising work on the training pitch this week, German attacking phenom Jamal Musiala will not be available to face the team from the city of his birth.
Should Upamecano be unable to go, it looks to be the case that either Englishman Eric Dier or Germany's Leon Goretzka might be in line for a "cold start" in central defense.
| Dayot Upamecano | Alex Grimm, Getty Images |
Dayot Upamecano maintains questionable status ahead of the highly anticipated Saturday evening duel between FC Bayern München and surprise 2023/24 Bundesliga runners up VfB Stuttgart. Vincent Kompany's German record champions seek revenge over the team who leapfrogged them last year with an upset 3-1 win in the league.
FCB trainer Vincent Kompany furnished squad updates while speaking at a Friday presser. Kompany noted that Jamal Musiala - on the mend from a hip injury that left him sidelined for club and country recently - had made progress in his comeback effort, but will still not be ready for Saturday's "South German" derby. Upamecano also had to sit out the international break hurt.
Upamecano's potential absence may prove significant in that Kompany maintains few options to serve alongside Min-Jae Kim in central defense. Summer acquisition Hiroki Ito is not yet fit enough to start. England international Eric hasn't yet featured as a starter this season, making only three relief appearances.
Kompany could dust off German midfielder Leon Goretzka; whom the FCB gaffer has already said he will turn to as a center back should the need arise. Goretzka has made three exceedingly brief relief appearances. Goretzka earned some pitch time after the 85th minute once in the league and twice in the Champions' League. He managed to score a goal in Bayern's UCL rout of Zagreb.