Wednesday 15 October 2014 14:41, UK
Bayern Munich have announced that midfielder Thiago Alcantara needs knee surgery and is set for "another lengthy absence".
The 23-year-old Spain international, who moved to Bayern from Barcelona last summer for around 25million euros, saw his first season at the Allianz Arena ended in late March when he tore a knee ligament against Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga.
He returned to training but suffered a setback in May, forcing him to go under the knife and miss the World Cup finals in Brazil.
Now Thiago has torn the ligament in his right knee again, with Bayern tweeting on Tuesday: "Devastating: @Thiago6 (23) has suffered a ligament tear in training. He needs an operation and is set for another lengthy absence."
Thiago had yet to make an appearance for the German champions this season, having made 20 outings in all competitions in 2013/14.
"What can I say?" Thiago told the club's official website. "Of course, I am at the moment profoundly disappointed and upset. Why always me? But I will not give up. I will fight again. I'm going to get close again. And I will celebrate my comeback at Bayern."
Sporting director Mathias Sammer added: "We are all shocked and saddened by this re-injury.
"After a long time out, Thiago was so close to a comeback. But he knows that the whole of FC Bayern is there for him. We will do everything to ensure that he is healthy again and can bring us a lot of titles."
Bayern host Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga on Saturday before travelling to Roma for Tuesday night's latest Champions League Group E assignment.
