Rival watch: Bayern Munich talisman set to miss Barcelona clash next week

Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsmann has confirmed that club captain and first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is unlikely to return in time for the club’s UEFA Champions League clash against Barcelona next week.

Neuer has missed Bayern’s last two matches across all competitions due to an injury and Nagelsmann confirmed that the 36-year-old might not be ready in time for the trip to Barcelona next week.

Speaking ahead of Bayern’s fixture against Hoffenheim this weekend, the manager said (h/t TZ): “Manu won’t play tomorrow, he’s still feeling some pain. It’s likely he will also miss the game against Barcelona. We’re aiming for him to return for the Mainz game. We will need to wait until his shoulder heals enough so that he can play”

Barça host the Bavarian giants at Spotify Camp Nou in the Champions League next week. The contest could prove to be a dead rubber as the Catalans would be eliminated from the competition if Inter Milan secure points against Viktoria Plzen earlier that day.

In case the Nerazzurri lose, Barcelona will have a slim chance of qualifying for the next round, provided they win their remaining two matches and results elsewhere go their way.

And the potential absence of Neuer, who is a talismanic presence between the sticks for the Bundesliga champions, will certainly come as a boost for Xavi Hernandez & co.

Neuer has played 13 matches across all competitions this term, and has kept six clean sheets in the process. The experienced campaigner made some important saves in the game against Barcelona at the Allianz Arena last month, denying former teammate Robert Lewandowski.