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          Bayern Munich's Sule suffers ACL tear, faces race to be fit for Euro 2020

          • Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondentOct 21, 2019, 11:52 AM

          Germany international Niklas Sule suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his left knee during Bayern Munich's 2-2 draw with Augsburg on Saturday, the club announced on Sunday.

          The defender will undergo surgery on Sunday and now faces a race against time to be fit for next summer's European Championship, which starts in eight months' time, should Germany qualify.

          - ESPN+ obtains Bundesliga rights from 2020

          He suffered the injury in the opening stages of the game when he landed awkwardly on his left leg and immediately reached for his knee.

          Limping off the pitch at Augsburg, Bayern's and Germany's worst fears became reality following an examination early on Sunday in which the full extent of Sule's injury was revealed.

          Bayern described the injury was "a big blow" with Uli Hoeness adding on Monday that Sule was certain not to be fit for Euro 2020.

          "It's a drama. A total catastrophe," he said. "The most difficult injury you can have. As things stand, his season is over and he can forget about the European Championships. It's not happening."

          On Sunday, German boss Joachim Low had said: "That's bitter news for Niklas himself, and we wish him all the best. But losing him also hurts us and compromises the development of our young team.

          "Niklas is a face of the new generation. He was an anchor in our plans."

          Sule had started all 12 competitive matches for Bayern this season and could now be replaced in the starting lineup by former Germany international Jerome Boateng, who was close to completing a move to Juventus this summer and had been expected to leave the club in the winter.

          Bayern have already conceded 10 goals this term and following Saturday's draw with Augsburg, and have only won four of their first eight league games this season.

          This is Sule's second ACL tear in his left knee, having suffered the same injury during the 2014-15 season when he was still a Hoffenheim player.