Football
Mark Lovell, Bayern Munich blogger 6y

Thiago Alcantara set for long spell on the sidelines with torn thigh muscle

MUNICH -- Thiago Alcantara faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after "partially tearing a thigh muscle" against Anderlecht, Bayern Munich announced on Thursday.

Thiago, 26, had to be replaced by James Rodriguez on the stroke of half-time in Bayern's 2-1 Champions League win over the Belgian champions after a tackle from Anderlecht's Sven Kums.

Coach Jupp Heynckes said after the game last night it looked like the Spain midfielder had picked up "a serious muscle injury" and Bayern's worst fears were confirmed after an examination by club medic Doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt in Munich.

"The Spain international has partially torn a thigh muscle and will be ruled out for a long time," Bayern announced via the club's website.

Ironically, Thiago was escorted from the pitch after his injury by 75-year-old Doctor Muller-Wohlfahrt, who was enjoying his first trip with the side since returning to the fold as supervising medic. Thiago's treatment, and his elongated recovery from injury, were reported to be contributing factors in "Mull's" falling out with Pep Guardiola in 2015.

However, the German champions received more encouraging news about captain Arjen Robben, who went off clutching his thigh three minutes after half-time in Brussels.

Robben will miss the trip to Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday after picking up a minor strain in his left thigh, but the injury is not considered a long-term one.

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