Veteran Manuel Neuer will miss the Bayern‑Dortmund Klassiker, sidelined by a nagging foot injury that has plagued him for weeks. Can Bayern still dominate without their iconic shot‑stopper?
Assistant coach Aaron Danks, covering for Vincent Kompany at the pre‑match briefing, confirmed the setback. “It’s coming a bit too early for Manuel Neuer; his foot still hurts,” he explained, noting the 40‑year‑old must be monitored closely. No return timetable was offered.
Neuer has already sat out the Champions League tie with Viking Stavanger, league fixtures versus RB Leipzig and Freiburg, and the cup clash with Magdeburg. He briefly returned for the Arsenal Champions League match, only to drop out again thereafter.
Jonas Urbig will guard the net once more against Dortmund. The 22‑year‑old has filled in repeatedly this season and now faces a defining test that could shape the title race.
Bayern’s injury list ahead of the Klassiker includes Neuer, Musiala, Diaz, Ndiaye and others. Will the squad’s resilience prove enough to clinch the top spot as the season unfolds?
Beyond Neuer, Bayern also lack Jamal Musiala, Luis Diaz and Bara Ndiaye, thinning the squad considerably. In my view, the depleted lineup forces the team to rely on depth rather than star power.
Bayern will decide Harry Kane’s future after his 2026 Ballon d’Or win.
Good news arrives as Joshua Kimmich earned a spot in the starting XI after his first training session on Oct. 30, giving Bayern a vital midfield presence for the Klassiker.
Despite the injury toll, Danks exuded confidence. “It’s a big game, the whole world is watching. We are ready,” he asserted. Sporting director Max Eberl added that equal points create a level field, yet the club aims to seize victory and leave the parity behind.