Surgery sidelines Sagnol
Monday, March 18, 2002
Article summary
FC Bayern München defender Willy Sagnol faces knee surgery and a spell on the sidelines.
Article body
FC Bayern München's French international Willy Sagnol will undergo cartilage surgery on his right knee on Wednesday and faces several weeks on the sidelines.
Operation in France
Sagnol has been suffering from pain in the knee since January, but continued playing, against the advice of Bayern doctor Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt who had recommended surgery sooner. He will have the operation back in France, at a hospital in Marseille.
Misses Nantes match
The Frenchman, who celebrates his 25th birthday today, will definitely miss tomorrow's UEFA Champions League group match against FC Nantes Atlantique. The length of Sagnol's absence will only become clear after the arthroscopy on Wednesday. However, first indications were that Sagnol would be out for several weeks.
World Cup hopeful
This season, Sagnol has played 23 leagues matches scoring one goal, and has figured in nine of Bayern's eleven matches in the Champions League. He also earned eight caps for France and is likely to be included in the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad by coach Roger Lemerre.