Bayern Munich Defenders Dier And Upamecano Race To Fitness Ahead Of Union Berlin Clash

Bayern Munich is currently facing a challenging situation as they prepare for their upcoming match against Union Berlin. The team's coach, Vincent Kompany, is closely monitoring the fitness of two key defenders, Eric Dier and Dayot Upamecano. Both players are dealing with injuries, which raises concerns about their availability for the game.

Eric Dier sustained his injury during Wednesday's impressive 4-0 victory over Mainz 05 in the German Cup. Meanwhile, Dayot Upamecano missed that match due to a thigh injury. This situation is particularly concerning for Bayern, as they are already without several long-term injured defenders, including Hiroki Ito, Sacha Boey, and Josip Stanisic.

In a recent press conference, Kompany expressed his disappointment over the absence of players, stating, "It's a pity when players are unavailable. I have 18 fit players, so I have 18 options for the positions." Despite the challenges, he remains confident in the depth of his squad, emphasizing that he has faith in the remaining players to step up.

As Bayern leads the Bundesliga title race with 20 points, ahead of RB Leipzig on goal difference, Kompany is optimistic about the fitness of Dier and Upamecano. He mentioned, "The tendency (for Dier and Upamecano) is good but still I will take my time until tomorrow. But it looks good." He also highlighted that Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer could fill in at central defense if needed.

Despite the injury concerns, Bayern remains undefeated in domestic competitions this season. Kompany has made history by becoming the first coach in the league to see his team score 29 goals in their first eight games. However, he acknowledges that Union Berlin will not be an easy opponent. The Berliners have only lost once in the league this season and currently sit in fourth place, five points behind Bayern.

"They have done it well so far. They are up there and we will not be underestimating them. But the game is about us," Kompany stated, recognizing the strength of Union Berlin's defense and their ability to counterattack effectively. He added, "This is a team that knows what it has to do. But in the end, it is a home game for us."

As the match approaches, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Dier and Upamecano can recover in time to contribute to Bayern's efforts. The outcome of this match could have significant implications for the Bundesliga title race, making it a must-watch event for football enthusiasts.