Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has said Jamal Musiala’s two alarming collapses during matches were linked to a minor adjustment in the midfielder’s medication.
Musiala, 23, disclosed this week that he is receiving treatment for a “neurological dysfunction” after collapsing twice in the space of four days, first against RB Leipzig and then against Heidenheim.
The condition can lead to “temporary, brief, but easily treatable seizures.” Bayern had already been informed that Musiala had developed the issue before the World Cup.
Speaking before Bayern’s German Supercup meeting with Borussia Dortmund this weekend, Kompany explained: “He made a slight change to his treatment, which caused some side effects. It’s perfectly normal to make changes to a treatment plan.
“The initial shock for us was a long time ago. Therefore, we’re not talking about it that much at the moment.
Vincent Kompany says Jamal Musiala’s two on-field collapses were caused by side effects from a medication change
The Bayern Munich midfielder collapsed for the second time in four days during the match against Heidenheim
“We’ve received much more information since then and made decisions with the help of leading experts. Jamal has everyone’s support.”
Kompany went on to confirm that Musiala will continue to train ‘individually’ from his squad ahead of the start of their Bundesliga title defence.
Prior to his second collapse during the pre-season friendly against Heidenheim on Tuesday, Bayern had listened to the advice of neurologists over the decision to play him four days after he had struggled against RB Leipzig amid sweltering temperatures.
‘We’ve been aware of the problems for some time now,’ Bayern’s honorary president Uli Hoeness explained on Wednesday. ‘Against Leipzig, it happened for the first time on the pitch, and it was visible to everyone.
‘At that point, we thought, ‘If it doesn’t happen again so quickly, then the medication he’s taking will help.’ But when it happened again four days later, in the same way, it completely floored me.
‘I was speechless, which is rare for me. We were expecting everything but this recurrence of these problems. It’s a tragedy, especially for Jamal.’
He added: ‘We’ve already taken some precautions. The treating physicians, the neurologists, gave us written confirmation, because it was absolutely essential for us that, from their perspective, there were no concerns about Jamal participating in high-performance sports.
‘Without that, we would have been acting negligently. Since we received this written confirmation, we’ve been sleeping a bit more soundly. But to be honest, I’m speechless and without a real solution.’
Hoeness offered Musiala his ‘unconditional support’ through the difficult time, a sentiment which was echoed on Friday by sporting director Max Eberl.
‘We’ve known about it the entire last season,’ he said. ‘The players also knew about it. For us, it’s become part of everyday life.
‘We will give him all our support, have already done so, and will continue to do so. We’re doing this together.’
Musiala’s team-mates made the depths of their support for him known during the shocking moments he collapsed, with Harry Kane gesturing to players to form a protective ring around him to shield him after he fell to the ground.
Musiala’s Bayern team-mates clustered around him to protect his privacy while he was treated
Kane and Co then stayed in place as Musiala received treatment on the pitch, with the player looking dazed as he was supported down the tunnel by medical staff.
Musiala shared a positive video on social media for fans on Tuesday evening, explaining that his condition saw him suffer ‘absence seizures’ – a type of seizure which could lead to a person losing awareness, seeing their balance impacted or even their responsiveness affected.
‘I know they might look alarming at first glance, but for me, they are currently part of my everyday life,’ Musiala said to camera. ‘I am receiving excellent medical care and remain very optimistic. FC Bayern and my personal support network are right by my side, helping me through this.
‘Importantly, there is no further health risk involved. In close consultation and regular contact with the experts, it was my personal wish to face this challenge; with the medical clearance of the neurologists, I want to continue doing what helps my recovery most: simply living my life and pursuing my passion for playing football.
‘I have taken full responsibility for this decision. Overall, I feel very positive and am on the right track.’
