Munich, Germany (SportsNetwork.com) - Bayern Munich midfielder Javi Martinez is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after he tore the ACL in his left knee on Wednesday.
Martinez sustained the injury during Bayern's 2-0 defeat to rivals Borussia Dortmund in the German Super Cup when he reached for the ball with a scissor- kick attempt in the 29th minute. He landed in pain and was immediately helped off the field.
"The concerns have proven true. Javi Martinez has suffered an ACL tear in his left knee during the Supercup in Dortmund on Wednesday," a statement on Bayern's official website read.
Martinez, 25, will not play again for Bayern in 2014 and could face up to seven months out of action.
"I've damaged my knee and right now, I'm on the team bus. I've spoken to the doctor and he's told me that there is a 99 percent chance that I have torn my cruciate and external ligaments," Martinez said in a video published on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
Bayern will open its Bundesliga campaign at the Allianz Arena against Wolfsburg on Aug. 22.
