By SABC Sport
10th October 2023
However, there is light at the end of the tunnel for the talented German international, as he inches closer to a triumphant return to the pitch.
The unfortunate incident occurred early in the first half of the match, prompting his substitution for the promising youngster, Frans Kratzig. To the delight of Bayern fans, Kratzig seized the opportunity and even managed to score his maiden goal for the club later in the game.
Gnabry's untimely injury came at a juncture when he was making strides to secure a regular spot in the starting eleven under coach Thomas Tuchel. With a plethora of attacking talents at Tuchel's disposal, competition for starting berths is fierce. Prior to his injury, Gnabry had only secured four starts for Bayern during the season, finding the net once in their thrilling 4-3 Champions League victory over Manchester United, yet to register an assist.
However, there's a glimmer of hope for Bayern and Gnabry enthusiasts. A recent update from BILD suggests that the winger is making promising progress in his recovery journey. No longer encumbered by a full cast, Gnabry now sports only a forearm splint, indicating that his rehabilitation is proceeding as planned. The optimism is palpable among Bayern's faithful, as they anticipate his potential availability for the highly-anticipated Der Klassiker clash against Borussia Dortmund on 4 November at Westfalenstadion.
Gnabry's absence from the pitch is not without its implications, especially on the international stage. Missing out on Julian Nagelsmann's inaugural Germany squad since the departure of Hansi Flick is undoubtedly disappointing for the winger. However, Nagelsmann has already begun to assert his authority by making some distinctive call-ups. While Gnabry remains a player well-known to Nagelsmann from their shared time at Bayern, RB Leipzig, and Hoffenheim, it is clear that the new manager has his own vision for the national team.
As the months progress and the European Championships loom on the horizon, Gnabry undoubtedly harbours aspirations of playing a pivotal role in Germany's campaign. Despite the challenges posed by his injury setback and Nagelsmann's evolving selection criteria, Gnabry remains steadfast in his pursuit of excellence.