Bayern dealing with goalkeeper crisis as top 3 choices injured

Bayern Munich's goalkeeping woes have gone from bad to worse with the club confirming that third-string Sven Ulreich has been sidelined with a groin injury.

Bayern host Atalanta in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday and may be forced to play a fourth-string player between the sticks.

Captain Manuel Neuer is missing with a calf strain, while second-choice Jonas Urbig was concussed in Bayern's 6-1 win over Atalanta in the first leg.

Ulreich played his first match of the season on Saturday and impressed with a number of crucial saves to grab a point away to Bayer Leverkusen as Munich finished the match with nine men.

The veteran keeper, who has spent most of his career as Neuer's back-up, finished Saturday's match but was unable to take a final goal kick after feeling a twinge in his thigh.

Bayern issued a statement saying that Ulreich "suffered an adductor strain in the 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen", adding that he "is therefore sidelined for the time being".

The statement did not indicate how long Ulreich would be out for, but tabloid Bild reported he would miss six weeks.

Bayern said that Neuer would be absent until at least April, while coach Vincent Kompany said on Friday that the club was consulting with doctors about Urbig's availability.

Leon Klanac, the reserve team's number one, is also out with injury, meaning that 19-year-old Jannis Baertl or Leonard Prescott, 16, could receive a rapid promotion.

The defending champions sit nine points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga.

In the Champions League, Bayern's big first leg win over Atalanta means that the club is on track for a meeting with Real Madrid or Manchester City in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Real hold a commanding 3-0 advantage ahead of their second leg in Manchester.