Bayern Munich travels to face Eintracht Frankfurt in a huge matchup at the top of the Frauen-Bundesliga table this weekend, but the Bavarians will need to make do without two of coach José Barcala’s regular starters.
Striker Jovana Damnjanović and defender Vanessa Gilles are both out with what are being described as ‘muscular issues’, per information from the club’s website, FCBayern.com.
Damnjanović had featured in Bayern’s Champions League win over SL Benfica on Wednesday but was withdrawn in the
second half after staying down on the turf following a clattering of bodies. She was replaced in the match by attacking midfielder Alara in a move that allowed Danish forward Pernille Harder to lead the line. Sarah Zadrazil’s recent return from her own injury gives Bayern another central midfield option that could see Momoko Tanikawa move into the No. 10 position, while new transfer Sophie Proost is another option among the forwards. Proost, 19, has appeared largely in substitute appearances on the wings.
Gilles did not play in the UWCL in favor of the recently returned Stine Ballisager. The Canadian international has been a force this season, particularly from set pieces. Gilles has scored three goals in the Frauen-Bundesliga already and added a critical brace in Bayern’s nervy 2-1 DFB-Pokal First Round win over Borussia Mönchengladbach.
Bayern and Frankfurt are 1-2 in the league table, with Frankfurt coming off a 6-1 cup win over Karlsruher SC.
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