Bayern Munich have received a major double injury blow, confirming that both Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry will be sidelined for the foreseeable future following injuries sustained during their recent 2–2 draw against Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker.

The duo’s afternoon was cut short in rapid succession during the first half of the high-stakes clash. Saibari was forced off in the 29th minute following a heavy collision with Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, and just two minutes later, Gnabry was also forced to withdraw from the match with a muscle problem.

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Medical assessments conducted the day after the match revealed that Saibari suffered a torn syndesmosis ligament in his right ankle, which required immediate surgery. Meanwhile, scans confirmed that Gnabry sustained a muscle injury to his posterior left thigh.

Speaking during a press conference ahead of Bayern’s UEFA Champions League fixture against Atletico Madrid, technical director Max Eberl confirmed that Saibari faces a lengthy recovery period of three to four months following his operation, despite the midfielder joking about a much faster return during lunch with the team.

“He was already sitting with us at lunch today. I was completely surprised and asked him whether it would be two or three weeks. He laughed a little and said: ‘Two and a half.’ That probably won’t be the case.

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“We’re expecting him to be out for three to four months with the syndesmosis ligament tear,” Eberl said during the press conference ahead of the club’s UEFA Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.

Gnabry faces a comparatively shorter layoff than his teammate, though the Germany international is still expected to remain out of action until around Christmas as he begins his rehabilitation process.