Bayern Munich demand answers after Alphonso Davies suffers ligament tear on international duty

Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich have called for an explanation from Canada’s national team officials after defender Alphonso Davies sustained a ligament tear while on international duty, ruling him out of the club’s critical season run-in.

The 24-year-old was forced off early in Canada’s 2-1 victory over the United States in the Concacaf Nations League third-place playoff on Sunday. Bayern’s sporting director, Christoph Freund, voiced his frustration over the situation.

"It is bitter for us and the way it happened is just not correct," Freund said at a press conference. "We want to know what exactly happened."

Freund revealed that Davies had already complained of fatigue after Canada’s previous match but was still played. "He is the captain, a young man who wanted to help his team but it was borderline," he added.

Freund also criticized the handling of Davies' injury, which was initially underestimated. "The second issue is the injury after 12 minutes. Then Phonzy flies back on a 12-hour flight and we all assume it is not a serious injury but then we have this," he said, referring to the confirmation of an ACL tear in Davies’ right knee.

"That is sloppy. It is not professional and we need to talk and clear it up. We are the employers, we pay the players, so we will be looking into what happened."

The Canadian national team has yet to respond to Bayern’s concerns.

Kompany: ‘No Excuses’ as Bayern Face Injury Setbacks

Davies was one of two Bayern players returning from international duty with injuries. Dayot Upamecano also suffered a knee issue and will be sidelined for several weeks. Both players will miss Bayern’s Champions League quarter-final against Inter Milan next month.

As Bayern prepare to host St. Pauli in the Bundesliga on Saturday, they have gone two matches without a league win, allowing second-placed Bayer Leverkusen to close the gap to six points.

Head coach Vincent Kompany remains confident in his squad’s ability to cope with the absences. "It is a pity first of all for Phonzy and Upamecano, who cannot be with us at this crucial period of the season," he said.

"This season we had to compensate for other absences. Hopefully, it will bring the group tighter together ... The reaction is what's important. There are no excuses for me. Just to win the next game and keep improving."

SportsLigue