Goalkeeper emergency at FC Bayern! Urbig out for so long after head crash | OneFootball

FC Bayern made a clear statement in the Champions League with a 6-1 win at Atalanta Bergamo. However, the clear victory was overshadowed by bitter news: goalkeeper Jonas Urbig was injured in a collision and will miss the Munich team for the time being

The 22-year-old collided with the leg of Atalanta striker Nikola Krstovic in stoppage time in his own penalty area. Urbig was left dazed and had to be stretchered off the pitch

After the match, the Bayern keeper was taken directly from the stadium to a clinic, where he was examined more closely

Sports director Max Eberl had already explained shortly after the final whistle: „He’s a bit woozy right now, of course he has a huge headache.“

CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen also confirmed the suspicion of a head injury a little later: „Jonas Urbig is in hospital at the moment, they’re doing imaging. There’s a suspicion of concussion,“ said the Bayern boss

Internally, Munich are currently expecting Urbig to be sidelined for eight to ten days, as reported by BILD, meaning the keeper is likely to miss both the Bundesliga top match at Bayer Leverkusen and the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 against Atalanta Bergamo

Exactly when Urbig will be ready for action again depends above all on the further course of his recovery

Ulreich comes back into focus

photo: IMAGO

The situation suddenly puts FC Bayern in a difficult position in goal, with regular goalkeeper Manuel Neuer still out due to a torn muscle fiber in his calf

The 37-year-old is currently the only experienced option for the Bayern goal and is likely to stand between the posts in the upcoming games. Ulreich has not yet been called upon in the current season because Neuer and Urbig have split the appearances so far

His last competitive appearance was some time ago, with the veteran last appearing in goal for Bayern in September 2024 in the 5-0 away win in Bremen

Bayern extended Ulreich’s contract again last year for precisely such situations, with the experienced keeper seen internally as a reliable backup behind the regulars

In the past, Ulreich has proven on several occasions that he can step in in difficult situations, especially in the 2017/18 season when Manuel Neuer was out injured for a long time, he played 29 Bundesliga games and helped Munich reach the semi-finals of the Champions League

This is another reason why those in charge are confident that Ulreich can once again deliver a stable performance

Talented goalkeepers as back-up

Behind Ulreich, Bayern will probably have to rely on a young talent in the coming games

Jannis Bärtl (19) from the second team and U19 goalkeeper Leonard Prescott (16) currently have the best chance of a place on the substitutes‘ bench. Both are already training regularly with the professionals

This makes it clear that despite the gala performance in Bergamo, FC Bayern now face an unexpected challenge – at least between the posts.