Feature: Bayern fears a loss of quality of the Coman injury

By Oliver Trust

BERLIN, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The injury to French winger Kingsley Coman is endangering Bayern Munich's chances in the 2017/2018 Champions League campaign.

After hurting his ankle, the 21-year-old underwent surgery in a German hospital on Monday. According to the Nuremberg-based football magazine Kicker, this means a premature end to season for the striker.

The Berlin-based tabloid Bild reports that the French international will be out for at least three months.

Both media outlets say Coman won't return in time to be available in the top German club's decisive games in the Champions League. His ambitions of being available for the 2018 World Cup are also in jeopardy.

Bayern recently extended his contract until 2023 as Coman is seen as the successor for the 34-year-old Franck Ribery.

Coman's injury won't cause problems when it comes to the German Bundesliga as Bayern has a comfortable 19-point lead with only 10 games remaining. They could secure their sixth consecutive national title as early as the 27th round of matches on March 18 when they meet RB Leipzig.

The Munich-based Sueddeutsche newspaper called it a major setback as Bayern now will have to rely on the performance of their "old master". The newspaper said the loss of quality would significantly endanger the side's chances of performing well in the Champions League.

While Coman has developed into one of the team's key performers, the end of Ribery's career is in sight as he is struggling to play at the level necessary for the top international duels.

Until now it is uncertain if Bayern will agree to extend Ribery's contact. The player himself is hoping to stay with the club. A decision won't be made before April, the club's management said recently.

The Coman injury increases Ribery's chances to get a new contract despite the fact that he has lost his starting place to his young rival.

The difference in quality between the two Frenchmen is highlighted by the statistics. While Coman has a 59.1 percent dribbling success rate, Ribery only achieves 31.3 percent. As Bayern's game is centered around providing a service for the spearhead Robert Lewandowski, the team's success significantly depends on its winger's assertiveness.

Nearly 25 percent of Coman's crosses are on target while Ribery only reaches his mark 6.3 percent of the time. Coman needs 165 minutes to achieve a goal while Ribery needs 469. The youngster is beating the master's numbers at nearly every turn.

Bayern attacks out wide lack options as James Rodriguez and Thomas Mueller are more valuable in the middle of the pitch. On top, Ribery, due to his age, is forced to take breaks to recover.

Several German media outlets assumed Bayern's success now entirely depends on Ribery and Arjen Robben but both initially were only seen as substitutes having to fight for a new contract.

In terms of looking for a replacement for Robben, Bayern is said to be interested in signing the 21-year-old Brazilian striker Malcom from the French League 1 side Girondins Bordeaux. Enditem