Bayern Munich’s Lucas Hernandez out after knee surgery
Bayern Munich defender Lucas Hernandez has been sidelined after an operation on his left knee due to a torn medial meniscus that he suffered at UEFA Euro 2020 with France.
Hernandez, 25, played in two of the world champions’ group games at this summer’s tournament, including the 1-0 win over Germany at his home Allianz Arena where he set up the goal, but missed their last-16 elimination to Switzerland with the knee issue.
According to a statement released on Bayern’s club website, that problem ultimately required surgery. The Bavarians’ record signing will now begin his rehabilitation and soon return to training under new coach Julian Nagelsmann.
“Our doctors are very pleased with how the operation went. He'll be fully available again in a few weeks,” said sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.
Hernandez has played 62 times for Bayern since his summer 2019 move from Atletico Madrid, including 42 in the Bundesliga where he boasts a proud record of having never lost when starting and only suffering one defeat all told. He didn't lose a single match at all in his first season as Bayern won the treble.
Although mostly a left-back for his country, the Marseille native looks to have found his place in the centre of Bayern’s defence, with the speedy Alphonso Davies the established full-back.
We wait to see what his role will be under Nagelsmann, who hosts training for the first time as Bayern head coach on Wednesday, 7 July – of course without Hernandez and players currently on holiday following the Euros.
The Bundesliga champions have four friendly matches scheduled for pre-season, against Cologne, Ajax, Borussia Mönchengladbach and Napoli, before they begin their DFB Cup campaign on the weekend of 6-9 August. They then open the 2021/22 Bundesliga season away at Gladbach on Friday, 13 August.
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