FC Augsburg have confirmed the injury of team captain Daniel Baier. The 31-year-old midfielder will be out for several weeks after he suffered a hairline fracture in his ankle. In what is a stroke of luck, he will not have to undergo an operation and will remain in Augsburg to be treated.
Baier is irreplaceable
What is the most devastating news for both player and club is that Baier will definitely miss the very important UEFA Europa League match against Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool in the first knockout phase. Daniel Baier is irreplaceable for Augsburg and it will be hard for coach Markus Weinzierl to find a way to replace him.
As alternatives, he will need to find a partner for Dominik Kohr. Markus Feulner and Piotr Trochwoski are options, but are more attacking than defensive. Perhaps players like Maik Uhde or Max Reinthaler will get their debuts in the first team, but this is a tad unrealistic.
The timing is also very unlucky, because only one day after closing winter transfer window their most important player suffered an injury. Augsburg's director Stefan Reuter is now unable to sign a replacement as a result.
The club are forced to wait until the 31-year-old is back and will have to find a speedy and suitable solution for the upcoming match against promoted side FC Ingolstadt.
Second injury in his career
Intriguing fact; it is only the second injury for the midfielder, despite being 31.
An irritation in his Achilles tendon forced Baier to have a long break, as he missed eight matches and was out for almost three months. This was in 2009, where he returned to action in April.
Now, he will be out for weeks again and the fans just hope that he will be not out for too long - especially not another three months.