Kompany trusts Goretzka to fill the void left by Palhinha's injury
| Photo: Alex Grimm/Getty Images |
Bayern Munich were dealt an injury blow during the international break when Joao Palhinha suffered a torn muscle fibre in his right adductor, which is expected to keep him out for the rest of 2024.
With Aleksandar Pavlovic also currently sidelined with a broken collarbone, the path looks clear for Leon Goretzka to start alongside Joshua Kimmich in the coming games.
Goretzka made his first start of the season against St. Pauli before the international break, and Bayern coach Vincent Kompany sees no reason why the 29-year-old shouldn't play again.
"Leon simply did well and played from the start against St Pauli. Palhinha wasn't injured then," Kompany told a press conference on Thursday ahead of his team's Bundesliga clash with Augsburg on Friday.
“Leon did what he was supposed to do, even in the difficult times. Of course he was unhappy at times, that's normal. But he's a full professional and so it's a very simple decision for me to say: We're going to go on like this.”
An alternative for the central midfield position is Konrad Laimer, but Kompany has other plans for the Austrian international given the number of injuries in defence.
"Laimer can play in that position, that's true. But we've got a lot of injured players at the back and he's been excellent in that role," said Kompany, praising Laimer's performances at full-back.