Bayern's injury woes mount ahead of real madrid clash

Bayern Munich's Champions League quarterfinal against Real Madrid has taken on a new level of intrigue, with the German side facing a slew of injury concerns. Star winger Serge Gnabry, who missed Bayern's 5-0 thrashing of St. Pauli over the weekend, is still a doubt for the midweek encounter.

Gnabry's fitness in question

Despite Bayern sporting director Max Eberl announcing on Sunday that Gnabry would be fit to play, the 30-year-old only managed a few light jogging drills at the team's Säbener Straße training ground, wearing a protective knee bandage. This has left coach Vincent Kompany facing a major selection dilemma on the right wing.

With teenage prodigy Lennart Karl still two weeks away from full recovery from a muscle tear in his right thigh, Kompany must decide whether to risk Gnabry, who may not be fully fit, or opt for an unfamiliar alternative. The 40-year-old tactician has a few options at his disposal, including Raphael Guerreiro, whose contract expires in the summer, and 20-year-old Tom Bischof.

Another possible solution could be to partner super-strikers Harry Kane and Nicolas Jackson up front, with the 32-year-old Englishman dropping deeper into midfield to create space for the rapid Jackson, who has netted eight goals in 27 appearances for Bayern this season.

With Jamal Musiala, another key player, still recovering from a wad injury sustained during the Club World Cup in July, Bayern will be keen to avoid taking unnecessary risks, especially with the World Cup just over a month away. As such, Kompany's tactical acumen will be put to the test in crafting a winning lineup against the might of Real Madrid.