MUNICH – Bayern Munich is facing an unprecedented goalkeeping crisis as injuries continue to mount, leaving the German giants scrambling for options ahead of their crucial Champions League clash with Atalanta. The club confirmed Sunday that Sven Ulreich, the team’s third-choice goalkeeper, suffered a muscle tear in his right adductor during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bayer Leverkusen, adding to the woes that already include injuries to Manuel Neuer and Jonas Urbig.
Ulreich’s injury occurred during a strong performance – his first appearance since September 21, 2024 – where he helped Bayern secure a point despite finishing the match with nine players. The 37-year-old’s absence further complicates matters for head coach Vincent Kompany, who is now facing the very real possibility of fielding a youth player in Wednesday’s Champions League second leg.
The situation began to unfold last week when captain Manuel Neuer was forced off during a Bundesliga match against Borussia Mönchengladbach with a recurrence of a calf injury he initially sustained in February. Neuer’s replacement, Jonas Urbig, then suffered a concussion on Tuesday following a collision with Atalanta’s Nikola Krstovic during the first leg of their Champions League tie, which Bayern won 6-1.
Kompany had previously indicated that Neuer wouldn’t return until after the international break at the end of March, and Urbig’s recovery timeline remained uncertain. Now, with Ulreich sidelined, the options are dwindling rapidly.
According to the club, Ulreich felt discomfort late in the match against Leverkusen, and subsequent examinations revealed the muscle tear. The severity and length of his absence have not yet been specified, but it’s clear he won’t be available for the midweek fixture against Atalanta.
The depth chart has been decimated, leaving Kompany to consider untested options. Jannis Bärtl, a 19-year-old who plays for Bayern’s reserve team in the fourth tier of German football, and Leonard Prescott, a remarkably young 16-year-old from the club’s youth academy, are now the leading candidates to fill the void in goal. Leon Klanac, 19, the usual starter for the reserve team and a Champions League squad member, is also currently injured and unavailable.
This isn’t simply a matter of rotating players; it’s a potential emergency. The stakes are high as Bayern Munich aims to advance to the Champions League quarter-finals. The pressure on whoever steps between the posts will be immense, particularly given the team’s recent struggles with injuries in this critical position.
The situation highlights the inherent risks of relying heavily on a small group of goalkeepers. Bayern, historically, has prioritized experience and stability in goal, with Neuer being the undisputed number one for over a decade. However, this current crisis underscores the importance of developing a robust pipeline of young talent to provide cover in unforeseen circumstances.
The club has invested in youth development, and both Bärtl and Prescott represent promising prospects. However, thrusting either of them into a Champions League knockout stage match would be a significant gamble. Prescott, in particular, is still very young and lacks experience at the highest level.
The decision facing Kompany is a hard one. He must weigh the risks of playing an inexperienced goalkeeper against the potential consequences of a defeat that could derail Bayern’s Champions League ambitions. The club will undoubtedly be hoping for positive news regarding the recovery of Neuer and Urbig, but for now, they must prepare for the possibility of a completely unexpected name lining up in goal against Atalanta.
The Bayern Munich faithful will be anxiously awaiting updates on the goalkeeping situation as the Champions League match draws closer. The club’s ability to navigate this crisis could very well determine their fate in Europe’s premier club competition.
Bayern Munich’s next match is the second leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Atalanta on Wednesday, March 18th. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM CET (3:00 PM ET). Official updates on the team’s injury situation and starting lineup will be released closer to the match.
