Bayern Munich’s pre-season has been upset by news of an injury to right-back Rafinha, a player who featured regularly last season under head coach Pep Guardiola.
The German champions have announced that Brazilian Rafinha, 28, suffered ankle ligament damage in training at the weekend, as Guardiola’s men prepare to defend their title and make an assault on European competition.
It is a blow for the former Schalke man, who managed to play in the majority of his team’s games last term, as Guardiola utilised club captain Philipp Lahm in a more advanced, central midfield role.
It is not known exactly how long he will be out of action for, but Rafinha briefly told his club’s official website: “I’m very disappointed. I had a really good preparation, and now this. I am very sad.”
Having joined the Bavarians in 2011, Rafinha has gone on to make almost 100 appearances for Germany’s most successful team, winning eight major honours in the process, including the 2013 Champions League.
