Gnabry injury not serious, confirms Bayern boss Flick

Serge Gnabry did not suffer a serious injury during Bayern Munich’s 2-1 victory over Freiburg, Hansi Flick has confirmed.

Germany international Gnabry sat out last weekend’s loss to Borussia Monchengladbach with a shin problem but played 90 minutes in the shock penalty shoot-out loss to Holstein Kiel in the DFB-Pokal on Wednesday.

He had to be replaced after 28 minutes at the Allianz Arena on Sunday but Flick is not expecting to be without the winger for a prolonged period.

“The injury is not serious, I have heard from the doctors. The muscle in his back cramped up,” said the Bayern boss.

Bayern were leading when Gnabry departed thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s 21st goal of the season, a record for the first half of a Bundesliga season, surpassing Gerd Muller’s 20 in 1968-69.

Nils Petersen equalised for Freiburg in the 62nd minute, scoring just 28 seconds after coming on as a substitute. His Bundesliga record for goals after being subbed on now stands at 28.

But Leroy Sane, who replaced Gnabry in the first half, set up Thomas Muller – who registered his 125th top-flight assist on Lewandowski’s opener – for the winner.

Sane was also on target against Kiel and Flick has been pleased to see him improving after a tough start to life with Bayern following his move from Manchester City.

“I don’t like singling out individual players but he did very well and did things the team would like to see from him,” said Flick.

“We saw good development. He proved today that he is always good for an assist or a goal.”

Yes! @esmuellert_ @leroy_sane pic.twitter.com/npO3bOBscY

— Leroy Sané (@leroy_sane) January 17, 2021

With RB Leipzig having been held to a 2-2 draw by Wolfsburg on Saturday, reigning Bundesliga champions Bayern opened up a four-point lead at the summit.

Flick said: “I’m not interested in the table at the moment. We have to look at ourselves and be focused on Augsburg and Schalke as we are today.

“It’s good to have achieved a four-point lead, that is extremely important. For us, only our results count.”