Bayern injury blow: Saibari undergoes surgery, Gnabry out
In brief
Bayern Munich confirmed on 1 November 2026 that Ismael Saibari had successful surgery on a torn ankle ligament and that Serge Gnabry suffered a muscle tear in his left hamstring. Both were hurt in the 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund on 31 October; Saibari is expected to miss around 3 months.
Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich have lost two more attackers to injury. In an official statement on 1 November 2026, the club said Moroccan midfielder Ismael Saibari had been operated on successfully after rupturing a syndesmosis ligament on his right side, while Germany winger Serge Gnabry had torn a muscle in his left hamstring.
Both players went off in the first half of the 2-2 Der Klassiker draw with Borussia Dortmund at the Allianz Arena on 31 October 2026, Saibari in the 29th minute and Gnabry two minutes later. According to Goal, Saibari was injured in a collision with Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and left the stadium on crutches.
“Saibari suffered a tear to the syndesmotic ligament on the right side of the ankle joint, and the Moroccan international has already undergone a successful operation.”
How long will Saibari and Gnabry be out?
Ismael Saibari is expected to be sidelined for around 3 months; Mundo Deportivo and Goal both note that a syndesmosis injury of this kind typically means a lay-off of that length, which would rule him out for the rest of the calendar year. Bayern gave no official timeframe for Serge Gnabry, though Goal expects the German back in one to two months.
“Both injuries are fairly serious”
Ismael Saibari by the numbers
After arriving from the Eredivisie, Saibari quickly became one of Bayern's most dangerous attacking options. According to ScoreLab data, the 25-year-old was averaging 0.74 expected goals (xG) per 90 minutes in the 2026/27 Bundesliga, placing him in the 98th percentile among the league's midfielders.
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Apps / starts | 8 / 4 |
| Minutes | 362 |
| Assists | 2 |
| xG per 90 | 0.74 (98th percentile) |
| Shots per 90 | 5.41 (98th percentile) |
| Average rating | 7.07 |
Source: ScoreLab data
Three days before the injury, on 28 October, Saibari scored once and set up another in a 6-1 DFB-Pokal win over Magdeburg, earning an 8.72 rating. The Morocco international, with 12 goals in 36 caps, is under contract with Bayern until 2031, according to ScoreLab data.
How had Gnabry's season gone?
Serge Gnabry had seen limited Bundesliga action this season: 128 minutes across 4 appearances with 1 goal, scored in the 3-1 win at Freiburg on 25 October (ScoreLab data). The 31-year-old has 26 goals in 62 caps for Germany and has won 7 Bundesliga titles with Bayern.
Who else is injured at Bayern Munich?
Saibari and Gnabry join an already crowded treatment room. According to L'Équipe, Manuel Neuer, Jamal Musiala and Luis Díaz are also sidelined. Michael Olise's status is unclear after he came off in the 84th minute against Dortmund: Goal says the Frenchman had knee complaints and that Bayern have said nothing official, while L'Équipe reports a muscular issue. Whether Olise can face Atlético Madrid remains open.
What's next for Bayern?
Bayern lead the Bundesliga with 18 points from eight matchdays, according to Goal. Their upcoming fixtures, per ScoreLab data:
- 3 November 2026 — Atlético Madrid vs Bayern Munich (Champions League)
- 7 November 2026 — Mainz 05 vs Bayern Munich (Bundesliga)
- 21 November 2026 — Bayern Munich vs Köln (Bundesliga)
- 25 November 2026 — Lille vs Bayern Munich (Champions League)
Sources
Frequently asked questions
What is Ismael Saibari's injury?
Saibari ruptured a syndesmosis ligament on his right side during Bayern's 2-2 draw with Dortmund on 31 October 2026; the club announced on 1 November that his surgery went well.
When will Saibari return?
Mundo Deportivo and Goal say this type of injury usually means around 3 months out, so Saibari is expected to miss the rest of 2026.
How long is Serge Gnabry out for?
Bayern have not given a timeframe. Goal expects Gnabry, who tore a muscle in his left hamstring, back in one to two months.
Will Michael Olise play against Atlético Madrid?
It is unclear. Olise came off in the 84th minute against Dortmund, and as of 1 November Bayern had not given an update on his condition.
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This analysis was prepared by the ScoreLab Newsroom using the sources listed and ScoreLab data. Editorial policy