Jurgen Klinsmann on Thursday said that Bayern Munich could be without as many as eight top players for their first competitive match this weekend, the AFP reported.
Bayern will play Erfurt on Sunday in the first round of the German Cup, before kickstarting the defence of their league title against Hamburg the following Friday.
"We are going to be a little short," Klinsmann said, following news that Argentinean defender Martin Demichelis will be out for up to three weeks after picking up a knock in Tuesday's pre-season defeat against Inter Milan.
With Italian star Luca Toni doubtful, and newly crowned German player of the year Franck Ribery, Frenchman Willy Sagnol, Hans Jorg Butt and Tim Borowski all topping the list of crocks, Klinsmann is facing a selection nightmare.
To add to those injuries woes, Brazilian defender Breno and Argentinean midfielder Jose Sosa will be in Beijing to represent their countries at the Olympic Games.
Bayern won the league and cup double last season and are hoping to make a big impression in the Champions League -- which they last won in 2001 -- under Klinsmann, who replaced Ottmar Hitzfeld in July.