Bayern defender Pavard out for weeks with ankle injury-coach
BERLIN, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Bayern Munich will be without versatile defender Benjamin Pavard for several weeks after he injured ligaments in his left ankle, coach Julian Nagelsmann said on Thursday.
The German champions launch their Bundesliga season at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday as they aim for their 10th successive league title but are struggling with their defence. "This is very, very frustrating," Nagelsmann told an online news conference. "He had left a very good impression and was a central part of my plans. He is very versatile but he will now be out for a few weeks. We don't know exactly how long yet."
Nagelsmann said he would not be wasting any time complaining about the latest setback, after a far-from-perfect pre-season preparation with players coming back late due to injuries or international duty.
Nagelsmann does have defender Alphonso Davies back in training following his recovery from his own ligament injury but the Canadian, still lacking fitness, is unlikely to last an entire game.
"He is a candidate for the starting lineup but is not likely ready yet to play over 90 minutes," said Nagelsmann, who joined from RB Leipzig, succeeding Hansi Flick. "He could start and then we would see how long his legs can carry him."
Bayern are eager for a winning start on Friday after failing to win any of their four warm-up matches.
"Gladbach have a tough and ambitious team," Nagelsmann said. "They will be a challenge because every team is fully motivated against Bayern. Nobody wants us to win the 10th straight league title." (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann; Editing by Kim Coghill)
