Oh great, this is just a disaster. 2023 is off to a rocky start for Bayern Munich with Noussair Mazroaui set to miss six to eight weeks with pericarditis. The Moroccan fullback apparently suffered from severe COVID-19 during his post-World Cup vacation. According to Bild, blood tests carried out on the player revealed the need for complete rest in the next few weeks. He will be tested regularly from now on, with doctors keeping a close eye to determine when he can resume training.
Needless to say, the news is devastating for Bayern’s hopes in the Champions League and beyond. Mazraoui was one of the best performing players in the Hinrunde, and losing him even for the first leg of the PSG tie could kill the tie. After Lucas Hernandez and Manuel Neuer have already been ruled out, Julian Nagelsmann will have to deal with missing another key defender against the likes of Leo Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
As you may recall, this is the second year in a row where a Bayern fullback has been ruled out due to heart issues resulting from COVID. Last year, Alphonso Davies was diagnosed with myocarditis during the winter break, and ended up missing games until the second leg against Villarreal in the Champions League quarter-finals. If Mazraoui’s recovery timeline is anything to go by, it may not be a quarter-final for him to play once he’s back.
Honestly, this news is just…heart breaking. There is nothing else to say. Just another example of pure, bad luck in a season full of it.
Update
Meanwhile, Marcel Sabitzer did not travel to the team’s training camp in Qatar due to illness.
Update #2
What. Mazraoui has COVID at the World Cup? Why did he end up playing against France?
ℹ After testing positive for Covid-19 during the World Cup, a follow-up examination in Munich revealed that Noussair Mazraoui was diagnosed with a mild inflammation of the pericardium.
Wishing you all the best for a full and speedy recovery, Nous!
– FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) January 6, 2023
Just a note, the difference between what Mazraoui and what Davies has is that the pericardium is the outer fibrous layer that covers the heart, while the myocardium (which is inflamed in Davies’ case, hence myocarditis) refers to the muscular walls of the heart. himself.
Update #3
So Bayern Munich suspect something after all.
Bayern are suspicious that Noussair Mazraoui should not have played at the WC after his COVID infection. Mazraoui returned in the semi-final against France and lasted only 45 minutes, completely missing the 3rd place playoff. This may have triggered the pericarditis [@BILD] pic.twitter.com/hVifHne3WQ
– Bavaria and Germany (@iMiaSanMia) January 6, 2023
