Analysis: Injury crisis endangering Bayern's season goals

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By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- An injury crisis is threatening Bayern Munich's season goals. The Bavarians head coach Hansi Flick finds himself in trouble after Robert Lewandowski, Niklas Suele, Kingsley Coman, Javi Martinez, Serge Gnabry, and Lukas Hernandez are side-lined and will most likely miss the start into the Bundesliga's second half.

The 2013 treble winner might be forced to consider new arrivals before the transfer window in Germany is closing on January 31.

Flick spoke about his desire to not only win the 2020 German Cup and national title but to set a mark in this year's Champions League campaign.

Shortly after Flick spoke about his desire to win the 2020 title, the 54-year-old started to ring the alarm bell. "The current situation does not allow any other conclusion: We might need new arrivals to address our goals," Flick stressed.

The former German national team assistant is facing two significant problems as his attacking options are thinned out aside from the gaps in the back-row.

Only Ivan Perisic, Philippe Coutinho, and Thomas Mueller remain as possible choices for the job on the flanks. All three are far from ideal.

Former German international Mueller spoke about "having reached the limits." The striker called the current situation far from satisfying.

Bayern's actions might depend on the recovery process of Gnabry, who suffers from irritation to his hamstring.

Joshua Kimmich will miss the first game against Juergen Klinsmann's Hertha BSC due to a yellow card ban. At the same time, spearhead Lewandowski took up the first training sessions back in Munich after his hernia operation.

Talking about the highest goals requires a "squad giving us all options. At the moment, we are far from well prepared for the season finish," Flick said. Bayern's coach is eying two arrivals, one for the back row and one for the flanks.

Joao Cancelo (25/Manchester City), Lukas Klostermann (23/RB Leipzig), Unai Nunez (22/Athletic Bilboa), Leroy Sane (23/City), Mikel Oyarzabal (22/Real Sociedad) are mentioned in media reports as possible transfer options.

Klostermann and Sane are highly unlikely to join Bayern in the winter-break. Right-back Klostermann won't be allowed to leave as his East-German side which has the chance to win the national title (despite Barcelona eying him). Sane is about to make his first game appearance in a few weeks after a knee operation and remains an option for next summer.

Meanwhile, Flick repeated: "We need players that can help right away." It sounds like busy days for sports director Hasan Salihamidzic and Bayern's management rookie Kahn. Enditem

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