Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany expressed his fury over the “horrific” ankle injury sustained by star midfielder Jamal Musiala during his side’s 2-0 FIFA Club World Cup quarter-final defeat to Paris St-Germain on Saturday.
The 22-year-old Germany international was stretchered off in agony during first-half stoppage time following a collision in the PSG penalty area. As Musiala challenged for a loose ball, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma inadvertently rolled over the player’s left ankle, twisting it at an alarming angle.
A distraught Donnarumma dropped to the ground in disbelief at the severity of the injury as players from both teams formed a concerned circle around the stricken Musiala. The German newspaper Bild has since reported that Musiala could be sidelined for up to five months.
“I’ve rarely been so angry at halftime, not against my players,” Kompany told reporters after the match. “When I’m sat here… the thing that gets my blood still boiling at the moment, it’s not the result. I understand this is football. But it’s the fact that it happened to someone who, one, enjoys the game so much but also very important for us.”
Kompany added, “Someone like Jamal lives for this and he came back from a setback. And then it happens in the way it happens and you feel powerless.”
Bayern captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer described Donnarumma’s challenge as “risky” and revealed he spoke to his Italian counterpart at halftime.
“I went over to him and said: ‘Don’t you want… to go over there? Jamal is lying there, he’ll probably stay in the hospital, he has a serious injury, and I think it’s only right to go over there out of respect and wish him well and just say a little sorry,'” Neuer explained. “After that, he went over to Jamal… Fairness is always important.”
Donnarumma later posted a message on Instagram, stating, “All my prayers and well wishes are with you Jamal.”
The injury cast a dark shadow over the quarter-final, which PSG won with two late goals to advance to a semi-final against Real Madrid.
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