The signs of worry are starting to appear for the Portugal national football team as Bayern Munich’s new defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha is no longer a part of the national side in the November international break for injury. The 1.90 m midfielder has returned to the city where his present club is based.
Impact of Joao Palhinha injury on Portugal National Football Team
Roberto Martinez guided Portugal are about to face Poland and Croatia national football team in the upcoming days for their UEFA Nations League, League A Group 1 match. Missing Palhinha just before the Poland game is ought to cost heavy. The side has other bright options too, like Bernado Silve, Bruno Fernades, but for the CDM position, Joao Palhinha was their ace.
Palhinha was a regular in the national team, but had struggled to play full minutes in the past. However, seeing his recent performance in the Bundesliga, he should have been an integral part of the plan, especially after playing in a sensitive group, where they are at the top position, but only for goal difference, as second placed Croatia is also having seven points, and will lock horns with them in the game next to the Poland one.
Impact of Joao Palhinha injury on Bayern Munich
As per reports, Palhinha has returned to Munich for further treatments. And, if initial examinations are put to trust, he can be out for as long as three weeks from now. This would mean that the star midfielder might not only miss games for Portugal, but also for the Germany giants Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich are currently leading Bundesliga, buit their road in the upcoming three weeks isn’t easy. They are about to face biggies like Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen in Bundesliga, and DFB Pokal respectively. They will also face French stalwarts Paris saint Germain in the upcoming three weeks, when Palhinha will be absent.
So, Palhinha’s blow might affect Bayern Munich to a great extent, as the 29 year-old has been an integral part of the squad ever since Aleksandar Pavlovic broke his collarbone in a game in October. He has played major minutes in the past three out of four games. Now the team will have only one natural central defensive midfielder Joshua Kimmivh to rely on for the upcoming games.