Bayern Munich’s 6-1 thrashing of Werder Bremen to move four points clear atop the Bundesliga was overshadowed by an injury to Sadio Mane.
Leroy Sane had to replace Mane after he went down with a knee injury after 15 minutes and needed treatment.
It happens just 13 days before Mane’s Senegal face the Netherlands in Qatar in their opening 2022 World Cup match.
Meanwhile, Serge Gnabry’s hat-trick helped Bayern win easily.
Mane, a former Liverpool player, walked straight down the tunnel after being replaced to receive additional care.
Mane, a two-time African Footballer of the Year, is essential for African champions Senegal, who take on the Dutch on November 21 in their opening Group A match before facing Qatar the hosts, then Ecuador.
Senegal was able to win their first Africa Cup of Nations championship earlier this year thanks to Mane’s penalty in the shootout victory over Egypt.
It detracted from Bayern’s commanding victory, which guaranteed that they would end this midweek round of games atop the Bundesliga.
On the fifth minute, Jamal Musiala gave Bayern the lead, but Bremen quickly equalised through a skillful passing move that set up Anthony Jung on the left side of the box for a shot past Manuel Neuer.
With two goals from Gnabry and one from Leon Goretzka, Bayern scored three goals in the span of eight minutes to lead 4-1 after 30 minutes.
Had goalkeeper Jiri Pavlenka not saved Eric-Maxim Choupo-penalty, Moting’s it might have been worse for the visitors.
After Gnabry’s third goal on 82 minutes, Bayern slowed down until the final stages, when Mathys Tel, a French teenager, added gloss to the score.
When they take on RB Leipzig on Wednesday, second-placed Freiburg will have the opportunity to close the gap on Bayern back down to one point.
But what about Mane?
Will he miss the world cup?
Mane ruled out of the World Cup
Sadio Mane has been officially ruled out of the World Cup, he represents perhaps the biggest casualty to have occurred so far.
Mane, who placed second in the Ballon d’Or race this year, was forced to leave Bayern Munich’s most recent Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen due to an injury.
L’Equipe has today confirmed that Mane will play the entire tournament, contrary to initial expectations that he would be healthy for Qatar.
Senegal will suffer a severe setback as a result of Mane’s absence. With a strong team, Senegal would have been quietly confident of competing for a championship.
