体坛英语新闻：Preview: Mueller injury causing new trouble for Bayern coach Heynckes

BERLIN, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- At present concern couldn't be more significant for Jupp Heynckes as the Bayern Munich head-coach is trying to gain consistency for his struggling team, but is facing bad news in advance of crucial weeks.

His side has to replace key performers such as Thomas Mueller, Franck Ribery, Manuel Neuer and assumedly Mats Hummels having to face challenging opponents like RB Leipzig, Borussia Dortmund, and Celtic Glasgow.

The job, the 72-year-old 2013 treble winner, took over as an act of friendship until the end of the 201772018 season, could turn out to be more difficult than expected.

Star striker Thomas Mueller admitted the team's problems could go deeper than expected. "We still have far too many mistakes in our passing game; we still need to develop as a team" the 28-year-old stressed. Neither the new coach nor former coach Carlo Ancelotti is to blame the German international emphasized. "We do the mistakes now, and we did them when Ancelotti was in charge. The team is responsible for the mistakes," Mueller said.

For month several pundits have been talking about Bayern's squad having lost their balance. "The team lacks speed in their forwarding game and is still looking for consistency. And the real challenges are still to come. The team has to improve a lot," Thomas Strunz commented.

Bayern is in danger to miss its season goals the former midfielder said.

Having won the last three games against underdog opponent's enthusiasm grew, but Mueller's injury reveals the team's problems when it comes to a determined attacking game. Pundits complain, Bayern's options are limited and lacking alternatives when cornerstones such as Ribery, Mueller or Lewandowski are sidelined.

Due to Mueller's injury, Heynckes again has to change his team and close a substantial gap. Mueller is sidelined in the Bavarians German cup duel against last season's Bundesliga runner-up RB Leipzig this Wednesday evening due to a torn muscle in his upper thigh.

While the 2017 German Champion announced Mueller would be out for three weeks, German media assume the striker will be sidelined for up to six weeks.

The Bavarian-born striker will not only miss both Leipzig games (Cup and league next Saturday) but the duel against rival Borussia Dortmund, the second leg in the Champions League and Germanys internationals on November 10th and 14th against England and France.

The loss of Mueller turns out to disturb Heynckes' plans to reanimate the Bavarians and secure the clubs goals such as the German national title, Cup, and a successful Champions League campaign. Heynckes recently admitted the current situation is not designed to talk about a great success in the Champions League. The national title is an essential task, Heynckes commented.

A season without a title is what Bayern fears most. Heynckes has to find answers quickly to questions such as: Who will replace Mueller in Wednesday's cup duel in Leipzig?

James Rodriguez or Thiago is the first choice while Bayern's coach at the same time needs to re-structure his midfield. Javi Martinez is most likely to return after an injury break and play next to Sebastian Rudy, Thiago, Arturo Vidal or Corentin Tolisso in midfield behind the attacking line. "We will decide on match day what we do," Heynckes stressed.

Heynckes will stick to his plan to operate with a high game along the flanks to support spearhead Robert Lewandowski. "Of course we are not happy about Thomas Mueller's injury as we lose an option. It would be great to have more options, but at present, there are none around," Heynckes said.

Bayern Munich' s coach said his side ready for a tight and intense game. "We are highly motivated, and we know we will have to take some risk in our attacking game to survive in the German Cup," Heynckes told German media.