Bayern Munich defender David Alaba needs surgery after suffering a partial tear to his medial ligament and will be "out for several weeks".
The 22-year-old picked up the injury in the club's 2-0 win against Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday - a victory that secured the Bundesliga club's place in the last 16 of the competition.
The Austria international came off in the 81st minute at Allianz-Arena and the club revealed on Twitter that Alaba had suffered a "partial MCL tear" as well as a "medial meniscus injury".
"He is set for several weeks on the sidelines," a statement released by the German champions added.
Alaba said he was struggling to come to terms with the news he is likely to be out for a number of weeks but revealed he is fully motivated to come back stronger and fitter.
"This feels like a bitter blow for me at the moment," he told the official club website.
"It's been going so well for me and the team. Once I've had the operation, I'll start a sports rehab programme as soon as the doctor allows it.
"Hopefully, with the help of our medical unit, I'll soon be back out on the pitch."
Alaba is the latest player to join a worrying injury-list for coach Pep Guardiola. World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez are all long-term absentees, while Claudio Pizarro picked up a thigh injury against the Romans in midweek and is also set for a spell on the sidelines.
Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action on Saturday when they travel to Commerzbank-Arena to take on Eintracht Frankfurt and are currently priced 2/11 in the match betting. The draw is quoted 6/1 and the home side are available to back at 12/1.
Looking for more from bet365? Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or +1 us on Google+ for fun competitions, special offers & much more!
Don't forget, all Bundesliga matches are covered by the bet365 100% Euro Soccer Bonus, where you could earn a bonus of up to 100% on your returns on pre-match accumulator bets.
View all Soccer betting
Bayern Munich defender David Alaba needs surgery after suffering a partial tear to his medial ligament and will be "out for several weeks".
The 22-year-old picked up the injury in the club's 2-0 win against Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday - a victory that secured the Bundesliga club's place in the last 16 of the competition.
The Austria international came off in the 81st minute at Allianz-Arena and the club revealed on Twitter that Alaba had suffered a "partial MCL tear" as well as a "medial meniscus injury".
"He is set for several weeks on the sidelines," a statement released by the German champions added.
Alaba said he was struggling to come to terms with the news he is likely to be out for a number of weeks but revealed he is fully motivated to come back stronger and fitter.
"This feels like a bitter blow for me at the moment," he told the official club website.
"It's been going so well for me and the team. Once I've had the operation, I'll start a sports rehab programme as soon as the doctor allows it.
"Hopefully, with the help of our medical unit, I'll soon be back out on the pitch."
Alaba is the latest player to join a worrying injury-list for coach Pep Guardiola. World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger, Thiago Alcantara and Javi Martinez are all long-term absentees, while Claudio Pizarro picked up a thigh injury against the Romans in midweek and is also set for a spell on the sidelines.
Bayern Munich return to Bundesliga action on Saturday when they travel to Commerzbank-Arena to take on Eintracht Frankfurt and are currently priced 2/11 in the match betting. The draw is quoted 6/1 and the home side are available to back at 12/1.
Looking for more from bet365? Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook or +1 us on Google+ for fun competitions, special offers & much more!
Don't forget, all Bundesliga matches are covered by the bet365 100% Euro Soccer Bonus, where you could earn a bonus of up to 100% on your returns on pre-match accumulator bets.
Source: bet365.com