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Manuel Neuer will miss at least the first leg of Bayern Munich’s Champions League last-16 clash with Salzburg after undergoing knee surgery.
Bayern said their long-serving goalkeeper would be sidelined for several weeks, with the Bundesliga leaders disclosing the unexpected news on Sunday evening.
In a statement, Bayern said: “Manuel Neuer underwent successful surgery on his right knee joint on Sunday. FC Bayern will therefore have to do without their captain for the coming weeks.”
Hasan Salihamidzic, the Bayern sporting director, said: “All of us in the club and the team wish Manuel a good and speedy recovery, and we’re sure he’ll be back to full fitness with us soon.”
Sven Ulreich has been Neuer’s deputy and is expected to step in while the 35-year-old regular number one rehabilitates.
Bayern are next due in action when they face Bochum in the Bundesliga next Saturday, before they travel to Salzburg for the first leg of their European tie on the following Wednesday.
The second leg of that tie is due to take place on March 8, and it remains to be seen whether Neuer will be passed fit for that game. Neuer has already indicated he is hopeful he will be available to head coach Julian Nagelsmann by then.
Neuer wrote on Instagram: “Hey guys, I had a little surgery on my knee this afternoon. Everything went fine, so I’ll be able to start rehabilitation training soon. Keep your fingers crossed that I’ll be back on the pitch in a couple of weeks.”
On Saturday, Neuer helped Bayern earn a 3-2 home win over Leipzig, as he matched Oliver Kahn’s all-time record of 310 Bundesliga wins by a player. He achieved the first 77 wins with Schalke, before joining Bayern in 2011.
