Bayern Munich’s match against Paris Saint Germain in the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals was set to be a real blockbuster, but it ended up overshadowed by a gruesome injury.
Right at the end of the first half, Bayern’s Jamal Musiala competed with PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma for the ball, only for the Italian goalkeeper to land with his full body on Musiala’s leg. The end result, Musiala’s ankle and foot bent in a terrifyingly unnatural manner, was horrifying for the players and fans of both teams and teammate Manuel Neuer openly criticized fellow goalkeeper Donnarumma for the action.
However, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois disagrees. Speaking after his team’s victory over Borussia Dortmund in the Club World Cup, Carrussel Deportivo captured his statement.
“Blaming Donnarumma [for Musiala’s injury] seems excessive to me. Goalkeepers go for the ball,” the Belgian explained, via @iMiaSanMia. “Attackers don’t hold back when they go at our faces either. It’s bad luck. It will hurt him deeply.”
Whether or not the former AC Milan goalkeeper should be blamed for the terrible injury might well be a very hotly contested subject for a while to come. Unfortunately, Bayern do not have the luxury of dwelling on the situation. Now more than ever, reinforcements in the transfer market are needed.
Also, let us not forget Josip Stanišić also got hurt in the match. Musiala’s injury completely overshadowed his issue. Hopefully, his injury will not prove to be nearly as severe.