Bayern Munich will be without Alphonso Davies for months and fellow defender Dayot Upamecano is out for weeks in a double injury blow ahead of the crucial weeks of the season.
The Bundesliga leaders and Champions League quarter-finalists said on Wednesday that Davies ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee during Canada's 2-1 Nations League victory over the United States, with surgery set for later in the day.
Centre back Upamecano was diagnosed with loose bodies in his left knee after returning from France's Nations League quarter-final victory on penalties against Croatia.
Bayern said that Davies will "not be available to play for the German record champions for several months" and that Upamecano will be missing "for several weeks."
Eberl defiant
Bayern board member for sport Max Eberl said: "Unfortunately, there's always the risk of players returning from international breaks with injuries - this time we've been hit particularly hard.
"The absence of Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano weighs heavily on FC Bayern.
"Phonzy will get all the support he needs on his road to recovery. We'll also be keeping a close eye on Upa in the coming weeks and expect him to be available again soon.
"We have a strong squad and will compensate for these absences. We'll now grow even closer together. The quality is there to continue pursuing our big goals," he added defiantly.
Others also not fit
Kim Minjae is nursing Achilles tendinitis and his return date not clear yer, leaving coach Vincent Kompany with not many options at the back.
Eric Dier is the expected option for Upamecano and has done so in the past, with Kompany lauding the Englishman's professionalism. Josip Stanisic is another candidate.
Replacing Davies could prove trickier because neither Hiroki Ito nor Raphael Guerreiro have his speed.
In addition, goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is sidelined with a calf injury he sustained in early March, with young January signing Jonas Urbig deputising before the international break.
Important games coming up
Bayern hope to have Neuer and Kim back for the Champions League quarter-final date with Inter Milan on April 8 and 16. The six-time winners aim to reach the final which is played in their home stadium on May 31.
Their first match after the international break is in the Bundesliga on Saturday against St Pauli. They visit Augsburg six days later before the first leg against Inter.
Bayern lead the Bundesliga six points ahead of title holders Bayer Leverkusen from who they want to reclaim the title.
