Munich faces a Champions League evening with several decisions still unsettled, as Bayern prepare to meet Arsenal without suspended winger Michael Olise and with questions surrounding Vincent Kompany, Joshua Kimmich and Manuel Neuer.
Assistant coach Aaeron Danks handled the pre-match media duties while Kompany remained unwell with a virus. The Bayern head coach’s availability for the Arsenal match has not yet been confirmed.
Quick facts
- Michael Olise is suspended after his sending-off against Viking.
- Lennart Karl is among the options to replace the French attacker.
- Joshua Kimmich missed training for personal reasons.
- Manuel Neuer has resumed training after a foot problem.
- Vincent Kompany is recovering from a virus.
Olise will miss the Arsenal fixture after receiving two yellow cards in last Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with Norway’s Viking. His second booking came after he threw the ball at Zlatko Tripic.
Danks said Bayern would discuss the replacement with Kompany later in the day. He named Karl as a possible inclusion, stressing that the German champions have enough depth to absorb Olise’s absence.
“Lennart is one of the players who can come into the side,” Danks said. “We are Bayern and we have a strong squad. Of course Michael will be missed, but others can take his place when he is unavailable.”
Kimmich’s status is also unclear after he was absent from the day’s session for personal reasons. Danks said he could not yet say what the midfielder’s absence would mean for the following day’s match.
The goalkeeper situation remains another late call. Neuer, 40, has trained again for the past two days after foot discomfort kept him out against Viking and in Saturday’s Bundesliga meeting with Leipzig.
Danks welcomed the return of the veteran Germany goalkeeper but said no final selection decision had been made. “Manu being back in training is excellent,” he said. “We will decide together with Vincent and the coaching staff, but it is good that he is fit again.”
