Bayern Munich injury blow: Saibari surgery, Gnabry out after 2-2 Dortmund draw
Synopsis
Der Klassiker ended 2-2 — but the real damage for Bayern Munich may come off the pitch. Ismael Saibari has gone under the knife for a torn ankle ligament and Serge Gnabry is sidelined with a hamstring problem, both injured in the first half. With Atlético Madrid away in the Champions League on Tuesday, Bayern's squad depth is suddenly under severe stress.
Key Takeaways
Ismael Saibari has undergone surgery for a syndesmosis ligament tear in his right ankle, sustained during Saturday's Der Klassiker .
Serge Gnabry is ruled out with a muscular injury in his left hamstring , forced off just three minutes after Saibari.
Michael Olise was substituted late in the game and is also a potential injury concern.
Bayern Munich drew 2-2 with Borussia Dortmund , with goals from Konrad Laimer and Dayot Upamecano , but hit the woodwork three times and missed a Harry Kane penalty.
Bayern remain top of the Bundesliga with 18 points , level on goal difference ahead of Dortmund .
The Bavarian side face Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday .
Bayern Munich have confirmed a double injury setback after being held to a 2-2 draw by Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker on Saturday, 1 November 2026, with Ismael Saibari undergoing surgery for a syndesmosis ligament tear in his right ankle and Serge Gnabry ruled out with a muscle injury in his left hamstring. The Bundesliga leaders now face a potential selection crisis with a UEFA Champions League trip to Atlético Madrid on Tuesday looming.
Saibari Undergoes Surgery After Kobel Challenge
Saibari, the Moroccan international, was forced off in the first half following a challenge involving Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. He was later seen leaving the Allianz Arena on crutches, and the club confirmed he had successfully undergone surgery on Sunday. Bayern issued an official statement confirming: 'Saibari tore the syndesmotic ligament in his right ankle and has already had surgery.' No timeline for his return has been specified.
Gnabry Exits Minutes Later With Hamstring Problem
Gnabry followed Saibari off the pitch just three minutes later, clutching his left thigh after what appeared to be a muscular issue. Bayern confirmed in the same official statement that he 'sustained a muscular injury in his left hamstring.' The back-to-back first-half substitutions visibly disrupted the team's shape and tactical plans during a high-stakes Bundesliga fixture.
Olise Also a Concern as Bayern Hit Woodwork Three Times
Adding to the anxiety in the Bayern camp, Michael Olise was withdrawn in the closing stages after apparently picking up a knock, though the club has not yet issued a formal update on his status. Bayern dominated large stretches of the contest — striking the woodwork three times — yet were unable to hold their lead on either occasion. Konrad Laimer and Dayot Upamecano both scored for the hosts, but Serhou Guirassy and Fabio Silva replied for Dortmund to force a share of the points. Harry Kane also missed a second-half penalty, striking the crossbar.
Bundesliga Table and Champions League Context
Despite the draw, Bayern remain top of the Bundesliga standings with 18 points, ahead of Dortmund on goal difference. The result, however, will sting given the missed opportunities and the mounting injury toll. With the squad now stretched, manager decisions in Tuesday's Champions League clash at Atlético Madrid will be closely watched — particularly in midfield and attack where depth has been reduced.
How Bayern navigate this injury crisis over the coming weeks could define their Bundesliga title defence and European ambitions heading into the winter stretch.
Point of View
And losing Saibari and Gnabry simultaneously — before a Champions League away tie — exposes that fragility. The 2-2 scoreline flatters the situation: Bayern hit the woodwork three times, missed a Kane penalty, and still could not close out the game. If Olise's knock proves serious, the squad math becomes genuinely alarming. The next fortnight will test whether this is a blip or the beginning of an injury cycle that costs Bayern in both competitions.
NationPress
1 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury did Ismael Saibari sustain against Dortmund?
Ismael Saibari tore the syndesmosis ligament in his right ankle during Saturday's 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena. He has already undergone surgery, and no return date has been confirmed.
What is Serge Gnabry's injury?
Serge Gnabry sustained a muscular injury in the posterior part of his left hamstring during the same Der Klassiker fixture. He was forced off the pitch just three minutes after Saibari's substitution in the first half.
How did Bayern Munich perform in the 2-2 draw with Dortmund?
Bayern twice took the lead through Konrad Laimer and Dayot Upamecano but were pegged back on both occasions by Serhou Guirassy and Fabio Silva. The hosts also hit the woodwork three times and missed a second-half Harry Kane penalty.
Where do Bayern Munich stand in the Bundesliga after the draw?
Bayern Munich remain top of the Bundesliga standings with 18 points after the draw, ahead of Borussia Dortmund on goal difference.
What is Bayern Munich's next fixture?
Bayern Munich travel to face Atlético Madrid in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, a match that will be complicated by the double injury blow to Saibari and Gnabry.
