Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka Out after Operation on Fractured Hand

Munich's Leon Goretzka celebrates after scoring the 3-1 lead during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, 21 October 2023.  EPA/RONALD WITTEK
Munich's Leon Goretzka celebrates after scoring the 3-1 lead during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, 21 October 2023. EPA/RONALD WITTEK
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Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka Out after Operation on Fractured Hand

Munich's Leon Goretzka celebrates after scoring the 3-1 lead during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, 21 October 2023.  EPA/RONALD WITTEK
Munich's Leon Goretzka celebrates after scoring the 3-1 lead during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Bayern Munich in Mainz, Germany, 21 October 2023. EPA/RONALD WITTEK

Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka will miss the team’s upcoming matches after fracturing his hand during the 3-1 win at Mainz in the Bundesliga.
Bayern said Sunday that a scan confirmed the extent of the injury and the player “underwent a successful operation.” The club did not say how long the player will be out.
Goretzka, who returned from international duty with Germany with an ankle injury, suffered the hand injury shortly after scoring Bayern’s third goal in Mainz.
Defender Bouna Sarr replaced Goretzka with Konrad Laimer pushing up into central midfield. The Austrian midfielder will likely take Goretzka’s place beside Joshua Kimmich while the Germany midfielder is absent.

Bayern visits Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday.



Guardiola Says It’s His Responsibility to Get City Firing Again

 Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
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Guardiola Says It’s His Responsibility to Get City Firing Again

 Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola watches the play during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024. (AP)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said it is his responsibility to get their season back on track after they suffered a fifth successive defeat on Saturday and that the current squad is strong enough to turn things around.

City's 4-0 Premier League defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Etihad Stadium marked the first time in Guardiola's career that he has lost five games in a row in all competitions.

They have been without a number of key players this season, with Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, midfielder Mateo Kovacic and defender Ruben Dias among those absent due to injury on Saturday.

"We don't expect to lose important players for many times, but it's happened. You have to find a way to deal with that ...," Guardiola told reporters.

"When we start to lose, I said to the people: 'I have to find a way - I have to. We have to find another way to win it.' It's my duty, my responsibility. Find a way to be more consistent and our game will be better, and we will win games."

Asked if City needed to be strengthened in the transfer window, Guardiola added: "I trust more than ever with these players. I think the squad, when all the squad is there, is exceptional, but the team is not ready here."

City are second on 23 points, eight adrift of leaders Liverpool who they meet at Anfield on Sunday.