Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany expressed his outrage after Jamal Musiala suffered a dreadful injury during the opening half of their Club World Cup quarter-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain in Atlanta on Saturday.
The 22-year-old German international was hurt in stoppage time just before the break when he collided in PSG’s penalty area.
As Musiala contested for the ball with defender William Pacho, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma inadvertently rolled over Musiala’s left ankle, twisting it at a concerning angle and leaving him writhing in pain on the pitch.
“I’ve rarely felt this angry at half-time, not towards my players. There are many things in life that hold more significance than football. However, for these lads, this is their life,” Kompany told reporters following the 2-0 defeat.
“Jamal is someone who truly lives for this game and has fought back from adversity. To see him face this kind of misfortune is devastating, and one feels utterly helpless…”
“As I sit here with you now, the reason my blood is still boiling isn’t because of the result, which is part of football. It’s the knowledge that such a thing has happened to someone who deeply loves the game and is so vital to our team.”
Bayern’s medical team rushed onto the field as Donnarumma, evidently shaken, sank to the ground with his hands on his head in disbelief over the severity of the injury.
Players from both teams formed a protective circle around Musiala as he was carried off on a stretcher. Reports from the German newspaper Bild have suggested he could be out of action for as long as five months.
Bayern goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer commented that Donnarumma’s challenge was “dangerous” and mentioned he had a conversation with his Italian counterpart after the incident.
“In moments like these, you must accept that injuries can happen to your opponent or even your teammates,” he noted.
“So, I approached him and said: ‘Don’t you think it would be right to go over? It’s half-time, and Jamal’s lying there, likely headed for the hospital with a serious injury, it’s only respectful to wish him well and express a bit of sympathy.’
“Eventually, he did go over to Jamal… Fairness is crucial in football, and I would have acted differently.”
After the match, Donnarumma took to Instagram to share: “All my prayers and best wishes are with you, Jamal.”
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Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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