Bayern Munich’s hopes of reaching the UEFA Champions League final suffered a severe blow yesterday with winger Arjen Robben ruled out for the rest of the season and striker Robert Lewan-dowski also hurt in their German Cup defeat by Borussia Dortmund.
Robben sustained a torn calf muscle 16 minutes into his comeback from a five-week injury absence and Lewandowski broke his jaw and nose and suffered a concussion after a clash with the Dortmund goalkeeper on Tuesday, Bayern said.
The Poland international, however, sounded hopeful he could still be ruled fit to play in their Champions League semi-final first leg at Barcelona next week.
“It’s a few more days till the match at Camp Nou, I really hope I will be able to play,” he wrote on Twitter, yesterday.
The latest injuries are especially bitter with Robben and Lewan-dowski involved in 45 per cent of Bayern’s 117 goals in all competitions this season.
There is nothing positive in a defeat,” club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told reporters.
“We just have to shake it off and take the pitch next Wednesday in Barcelona with renewed vigour.”
“Maybe we have some better luck there,” he added, with Bayern Munich already missing Franck Ribery, David Alaba and Holger Badstuber.
Dutchman Robben has had a stellar season, scoring 17 league goals until his injury in March.
Lewandowski, who was knocked down in a rough challenge by Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Mitch Langerak, broke his upper jaw and nose and also suffered a concussion.
The in-form Poland striker had scored nine goals in his last 11 matches for the Bavarians, who secured the Bundesliga title last week with four games to spare.
Bayern said more medical checks would be required to determine the length of Lewandowski’s absence.
There was some good news amidst the gloom with Thiago, who returned recently after a year out injured, having suffered no major damage from a knock on his thigh.
Bayern Munich’s 2-0 defeat on penalties to Dortmund, with all four players of the Bavarian giants failing to score from the spot, meant they missed the chance to repeat their 2013 treble.